Senior Legal Counsel - EMEA Real Estate

at  Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Leading provision of legal support across all business areas within the EMEA Real Estate business, which encompasses all aspects of real estate funds investment and management.
EMEA Real Estate is a strategic growth priority for the Columbia Threadneedle Alternatives business. The business continues to expand in what is a very challenging market environment. This is an opportunity for a Senior Lawyer with the right skillset to join the Global Alternatives Legal Team, reporting to the Global Head of Legal for Alternatives) and to lead the provision of legal support for this business area. The incumbent will be able to draw on support from two other lawyers in team who support the Alternatives business including EMEA real estate. They will also have the chance to collaborate with the Head of Legal for Lionstone in the US in supporting the Global Head of Legal for Alternatives in building an aligned global legal support model for Columbia Threadneedle’s real estate capabilities.

The responsibilities of the role include:

• Structuring proposed products and drafting/advising on all associated product documentation (working with external counsel and tax as appropriate).
• Contract drafting, negotiation and the provision of legal advice and guidance to the business on all aspects of law affecting the real estate business.
• Real estate governance and risk oversight and management including participation in key committees overseeing the operation of the property business.
• Legal advice on asset management and property management issues on a day-to-day basis.
• ESG compliance of real estate products/assets.
• Asset level challenges (e.g. assets that are “under water” with lender financing).
• Working with other support functions within the business (tax, finance etc.) to draft documentation to reflect internal group arrangements (e.g. transfer pricing arrangements).
• Keeping up to date with key developments and issues arising in relation to all relevant areas of law, including real estate funds in the UK and Europe more widely/commercial property law.
• Supervising lawyers within the wider team and secondees from external counsel.
• Running the panel of external counsel that support the provision of legal services to the business.

The knowledge, skills, and qualifications for the role are:

• Ideally a minimum of 8 - 10 years PQE, although exceptional candidates with a minimum 5 years PQE and the right skillset will be considered.
• Specialist real estate legal experience is definitely preferred, which can have been gained in private practice and/or in-house, although strong candidates with alternatives or wider asset management legal experience will be considered.
• An interest in how the real estate market in EMEA and the organization’s place within it are evolving with an eye on upcoming risks and opportunities.
• Ability to work when necessary under pressure within tight timelines and manage a range of developing issues at the same time.
• A very strong team player with excellent communication/presentation skills - the role requires close collaboration with other members of the team including Ben Apfel as its head.
• Ability to build successful working relationships across all business areas within EMEA real estate and the wider Alternatives Business and with counterparties and service providers including external counsel when leveraged.
• Ability to work independently day-to-day but to maintain an open dialogue, and collaborate, with Ben Apfel on an ongoing basis.
• Confidence and experience to engage with senior members of staff within the EMEA real estate business (including Joe Vullo as its head) and to help them find commercial solutions that mitigate risk in a way that in each case works practically whilst maintaining alignment with the organization’s risk appetite.

The responsibilities of the role include:

• Structuring proposed products and drafting/advising on all associated product documentation (working with external counsel and tax as appropriate).
• Contract drafting, negotiation and the provision of legal advice and guidance to the business on all aspects of law affecting the real estate business.
• Real estate governance and risk oversight and management including participation in key committees overseeing the operation of the property business.
• Legal advice on asset management and property management issues on a day-to-day basis.
• ESG compliance of real estate products/assets.
• Asset level challenges (e.g. assets that are “under water” with lender financing).
• Working with other support functions within the business (tax, finance etc.) to draft documentation to reflect internal group arrangements (e.g. transfer pricing arrangements).
• Keeping up to date with key developments and issues arising in relation to all relevant areas of law, including real estate funds in the UK and Europe more widely/commercial property law.
• Supervising lawyers within the wider team and secondees from external counsel.
• Running the panel of external counsel that support the provision of legal services to the business

The knowledge, skills, and qualifications for the role are:

• Ideally a minimum of 8 - 10 years PQE, although exceptional candidates with a minimum 5 years PQE and the right skillset will be considered.
• Specialist real estate legal experience is definitely preferred, which can have been gained in private practice and/or in-house, although strong candidates with alternatives or wider asset management legal experience will be considered.
• An interest in how the real estate market in EMEA and the organization’s place within it are evolving with an eye on upcoming risks and opportunities.
• Ability to work when necessary under pressure within tight timelines and manage a range of developing issues at the same time.
• A very strong team player with excellent communication/presentation skills - the role requires close collaboration with other members of the team including Ben Apfel as its head.
• Ability to build successful working relationships across all business areas within EMEA real estate and the wider Alternatives Business and with counterparties and service providers including external counsel when leveraged.
• Ability to work independently day-to-day but to maintain an open dialogue, and collaborate, with Ben Apfel on an ongoing basis.
• Confidence and experience to engage with senior members of staff within the EMEA real estate business (including Joe Vullo as its head) and to help them find commercial solutions that mitigate risk in a way that in each case works practically whilst maintaining alignment with the organization’s risk appetite