Assistant Corporate Counsel, Real Estate (Open to Remote)

We are seeking a highly motivated and energetic Assistant Corporate Counsel, Real Estate to join our legal team. In this role, the individual will review and negotiate a variety of retail leases for DSW and The Shoe Company retail locations in the US and Canada, as well as provide real estate and commercial contract support to our various business segments on a broad range of commercial transactions. We are open to remote based candidates for this opportunity, however due to periodic onsite meetings (about once/month), we prefer candidates within driving distance of Columbus, OH.

Reports To: Sr. Director, Associate General Counsel

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Draft and negotiate retail leases and related documents.
• Analyze and advise on lease management issues including demands, defaults, and enforcement.
• Partner with Real Estate and Store Construction to ensure timely execution of documents.
• Assist with real estate litigation, including ADA accessibility complaints.
• Effectively develop/manage relationships with landlord legal counterparts.
• Work with tenant broker and consultants during document negotiations.
• Manage outside counsel.
• Manage lease portfolio.
• Draft and negotiate additional types of commercial contracts.
• Perform due diligence in connection with potential company mergers and acquisitions.
• Provide legal advice and support to DBI partners regarding lease compliance and interpretation.
• Provide practical business to DBI partners; identify opportunities to minimize risks and process improvements and efficiencies.

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Adept at providing practical business solutions and strategic advice.
• Strong ability to learn DBI’s business, including understanding financial performance metrics, and solid understanding of DBI’s risk appetite.
• Ability to efficiently identify, assess and prioritize risk, and manage risk accordingly.
• Customer focused, team oriented, dedication to working with others to exceed the expectation of the customer (internal and external).
• Highly adaptable and manages change effectively.
• Manages for results. Able to efficiently manage a variety of projects in a timely, efficient manner.
• Simplifies and processes complex problems, understands underlying issues and addresses root causes, analyzes quantitative information and presents it in an effective way, seeks input from others and makes timely decisions.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to influence others.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience negotiating retail leases, preferably working with a mid- to large-sized law firm or a retailer.

Education:

• JD preferred but will consider seasoned real estate retail leasing paralegal.

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