Corporate Counsel - Avison Young

Our Story

About You:

You are a high achiever looking to thrive in a fast-paced environment. You take pride in your own work but are comfortable collaborating with a team of highly motivated individuals. You can communicate clearly and concisely with teammates and clients, and you enjoy strong company culture and camaraderie. You can navigate multiple corporate functions, including global lines of service and corporate centers of excellence. You possess strong interpersonal skills and are willing to take on diverse tasks to achieve the team’s common goal. You value personal and professional growth and are ready to take the next step in advancing your career.

If this sounds like you, well, then you will love the culture at Avison Young!

About Us:

Avison Young is a global commercial real estate brokerage and advisory firm, offering transaction, management, financial and consulting services. We’ve designed our corporate structure to best serve our clients by enhancing collaboration across our organization.

Real estate can have an enormous positive impact on people’s lives – and we’re in the business of making spaces and places work better for people. Our purpose is to create real economic, social and environmental value as a global real estate advisor, powered by people.

We care about each other and we have each other’s backs. This makes AY a great place to be a client, and a great place to work. We support the whole person and their complete wellness – economic, mental and physical – because what’s best for our business comes from our people bringing their whole selves to work.

We’re proud to be regularly recognized for our team, services and culture and our team members enjoy comprehensive compensation and benefit programs. Through our customized work options, we give our people the flexibility to create a work environment that puts their overall well-being first. After all, we are powered by people.

Overview

Avison Young is seeking an experienced attorney to support the delivery of commercial legal services to its business.  The successful candidate will report to the Deputy General Counsel, North American Litigation & Employment.  On a project by project and/or assignment by assignment basis, the successful candidate will work closely with each of the company’s attorneys and business professionals.  Avison Young’s legal department currently consists of five attorneys in the U.S., three attorneys in the U.K., an equity administrator, and a project specialist who support the company’s business functions across its global offices. 

The successful candidate will be based in Avison Young’s Chicago, Illinois office.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will provide support and assistance to the company’s senior attorneys, with duties that may include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts in connection with various commercial real estate services, including brokerage, property management, project management and consulting
• Reviewing, preparing and negotiating contracts in connection with the company’s procurement of services from third parties
• Developing, reviewing and updating company policies, procedures and template agreements
• Conducting legal research as needed
• Investigating, analyzing, advising leadership on and resolving potential commercial claims or disputes in the manner most favorable to the company
• Initiating and managing collection-enforcement actions (including the preparation of demand letters)
• Defending claims and lawsuits in the most cost-effective and efficient way
• Retaining, collaborating with, and overseeing outside counsel

Qualifications

• At least five years of practice experience
• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and documents
• Experience managing and resolving commercial disputes and litigation
• In-house experience, relevant industry experience and/or experience as counsel to a professional services business
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple complex matters in a fast paced, high-energy environment while meeting deadlines
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight 
• Sound legal and business judgment
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels within Avison Young and individuals outside of Avison Young
• Ability to communicate (both verbally and in writing) clearly, concisely and timely using plain English
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills
• Willingness to learn and take-on unfamiliar tasks
• International experience preferred

Workplace Type

Our Equal Opportunity Commitment

Avison Young practices as an equal opportunity employer in all services locations around the world.  We are committed to building and maintaining a workforce diverse in experience, skills and knowledge with uniformity in service excellence, commitment and integrity. 

The firm maintains a strict policy to ensure employment opportunities are equal and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, protected veteran or military service status, or any other elements protected by law.

For those requiring assistance with disabilities, information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially. 

Avison Young is committed to employing the best talent with the most fair and equitable recruitment practices. Apply with us TODAY!