We invite you to be part of our team of trailblazers dedicated to helping people discover and enjoy the outside. Come join us. Because on the inside we’re all outsiders. And if it’s outside, we’re all in.

L.L.Bean is currently searching for a Legal Counsel – Real Estate to join the Legal and Compliance team. This position can be based at our headquarters in Freeport, Maine, or remotely in a state in the US where we have physical store presence.

Position Purpose

In this important role, the Legal Counsel will support the ongoing legal needs of the company with a key focus on supporting our Retail stores growth through providing legal consultation on real estate initiatives. They will play a key role in drafting real estate documents, detailed review and negotiation of complex store leases, counseling clients, and managing various aspects of real estate transactions.  Strong legal and academic credentials, superior writing skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a client-focused approach are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities

General:

Provide a variety of legal services to in-house clients across the organization.

Acts as advisor to internal stakeholders on legal issues and provide practical legal advice.

Consult with and manages outside counsel, as necessary.

Anticipate issues and estimates risks strategically. Identify proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate risks.

Provide expert and legal advice to management. Creates associations of trust and respect with key stakeholders.

Conduct presentations and training activities on subjects of expertise, evolving legal matters, and other areas of interest for fellow legal team members and internal business clients.

Support other tasks, such as contracts and compliance issues, and special projects as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer and Director, Legal.

Real Estate:

Draft, review, and advise on complex retail leasing for mall and outlet retail store leases, sale agreements, letters of intent, assignments, subleases, lease terminations, renewals, SNDAs, estoppels, amendments, construction agreements and other real estate transactions and documentation.

Negotiate U.S.-based leases and other agreements with landlords and/or opposing counsel; supports local outside counsel in matters relating to international leases and other landlord agreements.

Draft, review and advise on real estate matters involving company-owned buildings and property in Maine and elsewhere.

Provide day-to-day counseling to executives, retail and facilities business leaders on complex real estate transactions, development, and risk management issues, including advice and counsel regarding retail estate transactions, including due diligence, store acquisitions, design and construction matters, ADA compliance, insurance, tax, lease administration issues, and environmental liability.

Handle various lease administration issues, i.e., process lease amendments, renewals, update SNDAs, and coordinate with internal stakeholders to respond to lease compliance issues.

Effective management and resolution of store maintenance, construction and landlord/tenant related issues and disputes.

Review, draft, maintain and update key retail real estate form agreements and form provisions.

Provide training to business team on retail real estate related legal matters.

Health and Safety Requirement

Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.

Education: Graduate Degree

Experience : 5 Years

Skills and Qualifications

J.D. from an ABA accredited law school and membership in good standing of at least one state bar (Maine preferred)

Minimum 5 years of extensive, hands-on experience negotiating, reviewing and drafting general commercial contracts, including retail real estate leasing agreements

Broad business law foundation and strong negotiating skills

Strong drafting and transactional skills

Detail-oriented and proven ability to multi-task and prioritize

Self-starter with sound independent legal judgment and excellent communication and analytical skills

Candidate must enjoy working collaboratively in a collegial environment

In-house experience preferred but not required

Proven ability to balance multiple priorities, work independently, effectively manage complex projects, and meet deadlines

Experience in managing a high volume of retail real estate transactions and working with national mall, strip and outlet developers

Results oriented leader with executive maturity to collaborate with and render legal advice to senior leaders and executive management across various parts of the company

If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan. Because, when it comes to the outside—we’re all in. Visit llbeancareers.com to learn more.

Being outside brings out the best in us, no matter where we come from or what we believe. At L.L.Bean, we value individual differences and encourage our co-workers to be themselves – because  the uniqueness of each individual makes L.L.Bean better.