Vice President, Division General Counsel ($346,700.00 - $409,100.00)

Position Summary:

The Irvine Company is a diversified, privately held real estate operating and investment company, highly respected for its stewardship and master-planning of the Irvine Ranch in Orange County, California. Today, the Company’s real estate portfolio totals approximately 130M square feet, with a focus primarily on coastal California. Approximately 65% of the Company’s portfolio is in Orange County, with 35% in Silicon Valley, San Diego, West Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City.
 
The Company operates under a holding company structure with each of its four primary real estate operating divisions (Apartments, Office, Retail, and Community Development) functioning as wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent. While the parent provides strategic-level guidance and oversight, corporate services and support (IT, HR, Corporate Finance, Legal, Accounting, etc.), each division is staffed and managed as a fully functioning real estate operating company at scale.
 
Although privately held, the Company is managed similarly to a public company, with strong corporate governance and executive management reporting to a board of directors. The Company is structured to operate in perpetuity.

The Company is seeking a highly skilled and experienced leasing attorney to join its Office Division (“Division”) legal team as Vice President, General Counsel.  This position will report directly to the Company’s General Counsel, and will be responsible to provide legal support for all aspects of the business operations of the Division. This position will be based in the Division’s offices in Irvine, California.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Team Development:  Lead and manage a team of six attorneys and paralegals supporting the Division. Foster a culture of collaboration, ethical conduct, and accountability, setting the highest standards for legal excellence and responsive client service.
• Transactional Legal Counsel:  Draft, negotiate, and finalize office lease agreements and related documents, coordinating closely with Divisional leasing representatives for timely execution. Manage the full lease drafting process, from initial drafts and negotiating tenant comments to final execution. Prepare and negotiate various operational agreements, including permits and licenses, to support daily Divisional business functions.
• Operational Legal Counsel: Provide expert day-to-day legal advice and support to the Divisional leaders and operations team, including counsel on the implementation of business initiatives.
• Litigation Support: Support litigation management for the Division and provide counsel on enforcement actions for the Division’s operations team.
• Policy and Procedure Development: Collaborate strategically with Divisional business teams to develop and implement legally compliant operating procedures and policies based upon legal and market changes, balancing business objectives and risk mitigation.
• Lease Document Management: Continuously review, update, and refine lease documents, related forms, and other agreement templates to ensure ongoing compliance with evolving legal developments and market standards.

Preferred Education:

• Law Degree from a nationally recognized law school.
   

Preferred Experience:

• Ten to 15 years of real estate experience, including representation of clients in real estate transactions, with substantial experience in office building leasing transactions. 
• Experience should include increasing responsibility, with partner-level experience in private practice at a leading law firm preferred (including experience supervising multiple attorneys and other legal professionals).
• Some experience in an in-house environment is also strongly preferred.
   

Additional Requirements:

Certifications:

• Admitted to California Bar

Other:

• Outstanding analytical, writing, and lease drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills, enabling clear and concise articulation of legal positions and progress updates.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and intellectually challenging environment.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, effectively select and direct outside counsel, communicate proactively with internal clients, and consistently deliver timely results.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain robust and trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing legal risks and adeptly navigating complex legal challenges.