Corporate Counsel - Avison Young

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.

Avison Young is seeking a Legal Counsel to bolster its legal function.  The successful candidate will report to the Deputy General Counsel, North America 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 10 attorneys and legal professionals.

This is a junior to mid-level position.  The successful candidate will support the company’s North American business and duties will include, but are not limited to:

Employment

• Drafting and negotiating employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, consulting agreements, and ancillary employment-related documents
• Advising Human Resources and senior management on various issues concerning the employment/engagement of employees and independent contractors, including hiring, discipline, discharge and accommodations
• Providing support on internal investigations and EEOC/administrative agency charges
• Maintaining working knowledge of employment law developments in the U.S.

Litigation

• Managing commercial and employment litigation including investigating claims; analyzing claims; developing legal strategy; advising internal clients; overseeing discovery; drafting, reviewing and/or editing pleadings and settlement agreements; and participating in mediation and settlement negotiations
• Managing and collaborating with outside counsel

General Support

• Monitoring regulatory changes and industry developments affecting the business
• Providing day-to-day legal support to the business
• Developing, reviewing and updating company policies, procedures and template agreements
• Conducting legal research as needed

The base salary is aligned with market data and is estimated between $150,000 to $180,000 with the ability to achieve additional compensation through bonus. This salary range reflects base compensation for the position across all US locations. Within this range, individual pay is determined by work location and other factors including relevant education/training, experience, and internal equity.

• Licensed to practice law in the United States.
• At least five years of practice experience with a law firm or in-house 
• Experience advising management on various issues concerning employment (including hiring, discipline, discharge and disability accommodations), compensation and benefits-related matters
• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contracts and agreements
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple matters in a fast paced, high-energy environment while meeting deadlines
• Ability to work independently while maintaining clear and timely communication with internal clients and relevant Legal team members
• 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
• Prior in-house experience is preferred 
• Experience managing and resolving commercial disputes and litigation is preferred
• Experience working with and managing outside counsel is perferred

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!