One of the top home builders in the nation (a Fortune 100 Best Company to Work For) is seeking a new General Counsel for their real estate practice. This General Counsel will cover matters in CA, WA, and OR and work daily out of the Orange County office.
The Role
This is a high-autonomy role designed for a sophisticated real estate attorney. As the successor to a retiring long-term VP, you will lead regional legal operations with a focus on high-volume, in-house execution rather than outside counsel management. This job is for a doer, not a director of outside counsel.
Core Responsibilities
- Draft and negotiate complex PSAs, development, land use, and joint venture agreements.
- Manage title, survey, and easement reviews.
- Manage one paralegal with upcoming approval to hire a second.
- Serve as the primary legal partner for West Coast operating divisions.
Culture & Perks
- Typical 40–50 hour weeks with high predictability and a culture that mandate vacations and family time.
- Direct access to leadership and the freedom to manage your own schedule.
- Participation in flagship charitable initiatives, including building homes for disabled veterans.
Pay is contingent upon experience in real estate (ideally, for a home builder or developer), caliber of law firms worked at, and stability on the resume.
Requirements (no flexibility)
- 10+ years total; 7+ years of broad real estate transactional experience at a recognized law firm.
- Deep experience in sophisticated residential or commercial development (builder/developer side preferred).
- Active California Bar membership is required.
- Proven track record of tenure (4–5 years per role) with clear career progression.
- Ability to commute to Mission Viejo Monday-Thursday (and work from home on Friday).
Ready to apply? Email your application directly to Melanie.Kent [at] roberthalf [dotcom] with "OC Real Estate General Counsel"
