Associate Counsel, Real Estate and Commercial USA-CA-PR,
H&M, Niagara Falls, New York, United States
Overview
As a Associate Counsel, Real Estate and Commercial USA-CA-PR, you are responsible for the oversight of lease transactions for the USA and Canada from the time of the completion of the LOI through lease execution, serving as a liaison with outside counsel and internal Leasing Managers on leasing issues.
The Associate Counsel should be able to provide direction and practical solutions on a wide range of real estate issues; identify, analyze, and communicate complex business and legal issues that may significantly impact H&M's real estate portfolio; provide advice to proactively manage the company\'s real estate portfolio from a legal standpoint, minimizing risks while supporting business goals; independently negotiate and/or manage outside counsel in the negotiation of various types of retail leases (including malls, lifestyle centers and street locations) or portfolios of leases. This role may negotiate and manage the negotiation of leases that conform to a template or are one-off deals, and work effectively with outside counsel on standalone or complex transactions. The role also handles documents arising post-lease execution, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating lease amendments (simple or complex), SNDAs, estoppels, and abstracts, and the prompt resolution of lease disputes and facilities issues. Multitasking and collaboration with various functions within the Expansion Function, including Lease Administration and Facilities, are essential.
This hybrid position is based in NY, NY within our Expansion Function and reports to our Senior Real Estate Attorney USA-CA-PR.
Responsibilities
Lead the legal review, drafting, and negotiation of commercial agreements and contracts for H&M\'s real estate portfolio in the US and Canada.
Provide leadership for the development of legal strategies and standards while ensuring compliance with corporate Global legal guidelines.
Provide strategic legal guidance to business deal makers and executives on a wide range of real estate issues and identify, analyze, and communicate complex issues impacting H&M\'s real estate portfolio in the US and Canada.
Negotiate/draft leases, amendments, estoppels, SNDAs, lease abstracts, and side letters, with emphasis on amendments and conforming leases.
Attend weekly and monthly meetings regarding lease status and lease approvals.
Support the Senior Real Estate Attorney to bring structure, consistency, and efficiency to the real estate legal department across expansion activities including construction, leasing, finance and logistics.
Partner with Lease Administration, Controlling and Accounting teams to manage lease portfolios, including co-tenancy audits, kick-outs or options, and renewals.
Facilitate resolution of lease problems arising from accounting interpretation of lease language, facilities issues, or other store-location problems.
Perform general legal work as assigned, including assistance with commercial contracts, collaboration with other H&M attorneys, liaising with data privacy and product safety teams, customer activation, marketing, and human resources, due diligence, legal research and compliance verifications.
Act as a role model by delivering feedback, communicating inclusively, and assisting in the preparation of legal and lease administration matters while upholding H&M values and Expansion\'s ways of working.
Demonstrate understanding of best practices in LIMA or other lease management software.
Willingness to attend occasional legal conferences.
Qualifications
College degree and J.D. from a U.S. accredited law school, admission to and in good standing with the NY bar, or any bar in the United States.
3 to 8 years of experience in leasing; retail leasing and in-house experience strongly preferred but not required.
Clear written and oral communication of facts, law, and legal arguments.
Ability to think in terms of business strategy while meeting legal standards.
Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word and Excel). Lease Administration Software knowledge (Virtual Premise or similar real estate database software) preferred but not required.
Inclusive, positive, open to feedback, multitask-oriented, and willing to learn on the job.
Why You\'ll Love Working at H&M
We value diverse backgrounds and strive for an inclusive environment.
We are a values-driven organization guided by our seven values that have supported our success for over 75 years.
Access to Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) for community and networking opportunities.
An inclusive company culture where you can be yourself at work.
Access to a large global talent network with opportunities for career growth.
Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, wellness and family support programs, company match 401k, paid leave programs, and paid time off, including a community day.
Employee discount at H&M, & Other Stories, and COS.
Compensation Salary range: $145,954–$200,000 annually
Note: The posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements and is not all-inclusive. The company may assign additional duties. H&M reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range based on qualifications and other factors. This range may be modified in the future.
EEOC Code: PRO
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The Associate Counsel should be able to provide direction and practical solutions on a wide range of real estate issues; identify, analyze, and communicate complex business and legal issues that may significantly impact H&M's real estate portfolio; provide advice to proactively manage the company\'s real estate portfolio from a legal standpoint, minimizing risks while supporting business goals; independently negotiate and/or manage outside counsel in the negotiation of various types of retail leases (including malls, lifestyle centers and street locations) or portfolios of leases. This role may negotiate and manage the negotiation of leases that conform to a template or are one-off deals, and work effectively with outside counsel on standalone or complex transactions. The role also handles documents arising post-lease execution, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating lease amendments (simple or complex), SNDAs, estoppels, and abstracts, and the prompt resolution of lease disputes and facilities issues. Multitasking and collaboration with various functions within the Expansion Function, including Lease Administration and Facilities, are essential.
This hybrid position is based in NY, NY within our Expansion Function and reports to our Senior Real Estate Attorney USA-CA-PR.
Responsibilities
Lead the legal review, drafting, and negotiation of commercial agreements and contracts for H&M\'s real estate portfolio in the US and Canada.
Provide leadership for the development of legal strategies and standards while ensuring compliance with corporate Global legal guidelines.
Provide strategic legal guidance to business deal makers and executives on a wide range of real estate issues and identify, analyze, and communicate complex issues impacting H&M\'s real estate portfolio in the US and Canada.
Negotiate/draft leases, amendments, estoppels, SNDAs, lease abstracts, and side letters, with emphasis on amendments and conforming leases.
Attend weekly and monthly meetings regarding lease status and lease approvals.
Support the Senior Real Estate Attorney to bring structure, consistency, and efficiency to the real estate legal department across expansion activities including construction, leasing, finance and logistics.
Partner with Lease Administration, Controlling and Accounting teams to manage lease portfolios, including co-tenancy audits, kick-outs or options, and renewals.
Facilitate resolution of lease problems arising from accounting interpretation of lease language, facilities issues, or other store-location problems.
Perform general legal work as assigned, including assistance with commercial contracts, collaboration with other H&M attorneys, liaising with data privacy and product safety teams, customer activation, marketing, and human resources, due diligence, legal research and compliance verifications.
Act as a role model by delivering feedback, communicating inclusively, and assisting in the preparation of legal and lease administration matters while upholding H&M values and Expansion\'s ways of working.
Demonstrate understanding of best practices in LIMA or other lease management software.
Willingness to attend occasional legal conferences.
Qualifications
College degree and J.D. from a U.S. accredited law school, admission to and in good standing with the NY bar, or any bar in the United States.
3 to 8 years of experience in leasing; retail leasing and in-house experience strongly preferred but not required.
Clear written and oral communication of facts, law, and legal arguments.
Ability to think in terms of business strategy while meeting legal standards.
Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word and Excel). Lease Administration Software knowledge (Virtual Premise or similar real estate database software) preferred but not required.
Inclusive, positive, open to feedback, multitask-oriented, and willing to learn on the job.
Why You\'ll Love Working at H&M
We value diverse backgrounds and strive for an inclusive environment.
We are a values-driven organization guided by our seven values that have supported our success for over 75 years.
Access to Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) for community and networking opportunities.
An inclusive company culture where you can be yourself at work.
Access to a large global talent network with opportunities for career growth.
Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, wellness and family support programs, company match 401k, paid leave programs, and paid time off, including a community day.
Employee discount at H&M, & Other Stories, and COS.
Compensation Salary range: $145,954–$200,000 annually
Note: The posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements and is not all-inclusive. The company may assign additional duties. H&M reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range based on qualifications and other factors. This range may be modified in the future.
EEOC Code: PRO
#J-18808-Ljbffr