General Counsel (in-house)

Position Summary:

EYA, a premier, award-winning urban development company in the DC metro area, is seeking a seasoned real estate transaction attorney to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in shaping complex residential real estate transactions that define urban living, often involving multifaceted ownership structures and a variety of residential products, including for-sale dwelling units and multifamily rental properties.  EYA typically closes on 3 – 5 new projects annually throughout the DMV and works closely with its programmatic equity partner on the majority of its communities.

Your expertise will guide EYA’s acquisition and development teams in structuring deals that not only build communities but also enhance urban environments. You will also play a crucial role in public-private partnerships and innovative mixed-income financing solutions, driving the successful establishment of dynamic new neighborhoods. Your responsibilities will include drafting and negotiating the legal frameworks that govern every aspect of acquisition, development, ownership, and financing, and managing outside counsel to ensure that each project is built on a solid legal foundation.  You will also support EYA’s executive leadership in strategy, risk and litigation matters.

The ideal candidate brings substantial experience in residential real estate transaction law, combined with excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and strong business acumen. You will need to be versatile, able to navigate both high-level strategic decisions and the finer details of transactional work.

As a key member of EYA’s management team, this in-house position offers you the unique opportunity to focus on impactful legal work within a supportive environment that values work-life balance. If you are passionate about urban residential development and looking to make a lasting impact in a leadership role, we invite you to join EYA and help us continue to set the standard in urban living.

Responsibilities:

1. Draft and Negotiate Real Estate Contracts & Agreements, including:

Real estate contracts with land sellers and joint venture partners, including Letters of Intent, Purchase and Sale Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, and Contribution Agreements.

Development Agreements between developers and/or owners governing the rights and obligations related to joint and coordinated development of a site.

Easements, restrictive covenants, and other documentation with adjacent property owners.

Retail and apartment rental leases.

Management agreements for the operation of for-sale residential communities and multifamily rental communities.

Documents in connection with Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), mixed-income, income-restricted, and similar development projects.

Trade agreements and other construction related contracts.

2. Property Transactions & Closings

Negotiate and draft property-closing documents and perform all legal functions on property closings.

Negotiate and document the terms of debt and equity financing commitments and all related documents, including loan agreements, deeds of trust, financial guaranties, completion guaranties, and operating agreements.

Analyze title matters and coordinate with title companies and other parties at closings.

Draft sales documents, and negotiate amendments thereto, for the sale of dwelling units to members of the public.

Prepare homeowner association documents and reciprocal easement agreements, often for large-scale, complex, mixed-use and/or mixed-income developments, and handle the registration of such communities with the applicable governmental authorities.

3. Due Diligence & Land Use

Participate in the review of due diligence materials, including, but not limited to, environmental reports, and advise the acquisition and development team on issues identified in such materials.

Work with local land use counsel to assure that all aspects of the future development and operating community are anticipated by the land use approvals.

4. Legal Consultation & Corporate advising

Structure and draft organizational documents related to special purpose entities and equity investor partnerships and joint ventures.

Provide oversite and management of the use of all outside counsel.

Provide legal consultation on corporate governance and compliance and other corporate and project legal matters as necessary.

Provide risk management advice/input to the management team.

Participate in assessing corporate and project insurance coverage and programs.

Engage in organizational strategic planning and leadership.

Qualifications:

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of practice in real estate transaction law with deep expertise in all relevant areas, both strategically and tactically.

Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Licensure: Licensed and in good standing in Washington, DC, and either Maryland or Virginia (admission in multiple jurisdictions is highly desirable).

Professional Skills:

Demonstrated business acumen and sound judgment.

Exceptional analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving abilities.

Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational and multitasking capabilities.

Personal Attributes:

Passion for delivering high-quality work with meticulous attention to detail and a proactive approach.

Unwavering integrity.

A practical, business-oriented approach to problem solving.

About EYA:

Since 1992, EYA has been actively developing exceptional neighborhoods across the Greater Washington area, forging a reputation as one of the Country’s top infill developer / builders. We eagerly take on the most challenging opportunities, collaborating closely with landowners and public officials to establish highly successful neighborhoods, oftentimes where other developers may not see potential.

With a proven track record for navigating complex entitlements with expertise, creativity and agility, our team consistently creates value for partners, municipalities, and local residents. With more than 50 thriving neighborhoods and more than 7,000 units to our name, EYA is the go-to partner for delivering smart, sustainable communities that offer life within walking distance throughout the greater Washington Metropolitan Area.   

EYA’s capabilities span for-sale homebuilding, multifamily and mixed-income residential, mixed-use development, and public-private partnerships.  We employ a vertically integrated strategy in our homebuilding business and have multifamily and mixed-use capabilities from stick-built to high-rise construction and amenity-focused retail development.  We have significant expertise in horizontal development / infrastructure installation and oversee site development operations to deliver development-ready pads for ourselves and, occasionally, for select partners.

Our team of over 100 dedicated experts has built a particular focus in commercial to residential transformations, retail densification, mixed-income housing, and large-scale master planning.  While our projects take many years from conception to completion, we have an unrivaled reputation for delivering on our commitments and have won hundreds of awards for the quality of our work.  We focus our efforts primarily in the high barrier to entry markets of Fairfax County, Montgomery County, Arlington County, and the District of Columbia.

EYA is an equal opportunity employer.

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