SummaryThe Commercial and Leasing Counsel supports the Company's commercial contract negotiation, drafting, and management; retail real estate leasing transactions in support of store development; and day-to-day compliance processes and procedures. This role manages a high volume of commercial agreements and lease transactions, relying on the Company's established templates, playbooks, and negotiation standards under the supervision of senior Legal Department leadership and in partnership with senior Leasing leadership, and exercises sound judgment about when to escalate novel, higher-risk, or unusually complex matters.
This is a highly cross-functional, high-visibility role that requires building trusted working relationships with partners across Leasing, Store Construction/Operations, IT, Marketing, Sales, Finance, and other Company leaders. Success depends on the ability to think commercially, anticipate business implications, and guide business partners through negotiations toward efficient resolution.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesThis description intends to describe the general nature and level of work performed by Teammates assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Real Estate Leasing and Portfolio Management- Support the Company's real estate portfolio by negotiating and administering leases, amendments, renewals, and related transaction documents, primarily using the Company's conformed lease forms; support Leasing and Store Construction/Operations on new store development, relocations, expansions, and closures.
- Support and lead resolution of disputes and legal matters involving contracts, leasing, landlord-tenant issues, and other business matters, including coordinating with outside counsel as directed.
Commercial Contract Negotiation, Risk Management and Legal Support- Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including technology, intellectual property, confidentiality, data privacy, marketing, vendor/procurement, and other business agreements, using and helping refine the Company's standard templates and playbooks.
- Partner proactively and collaboratively with business stakeholders throughout negotiations, anticipating commercial implications, offering practical alternatives, and helping steer transactions through competing priorities and complex deal dynamics toward efficient, business-appropriate resolution.
- Identify and flag legal, operational, and financial risks in commercial contracts, leases, and portfolio matters, and recommend practical, business-aligned mitigation strategies.
Cross-Functional Collaboration, Process Improvement and Legal Operations- Help maintain and continuously improve the Legal Department's leasing and commercial contracting templates, negotiation standards, playbooks, and training resources.
- Build and sustain strong, trust-based, cross-functional relationships that promote effective collaboration and position Legal as a proactive business partner.
General- Fulfill mission statement by performing job duties with a high level of customer service while contributing to a positive team spirit.
- Special projects and other duties as assigned.
Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThis job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Education and/or Experience - Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school and active member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar required.
- At least two (2) to four (4) years of relevant experience as a practicing attorney required. Candidates with as few as two (2) years of experience will be considered where that experience is concentrated in commercial real estate/leasing matters.
- Prior in-house experience preferred but not required.
Key Competencies- Experience negotiating and drafting commercial agreements and/or real estate leases strongly preferred; familiarity with retail real estate leasing, including lease amendments and the use of standardized or conformed lease forms, is a plus.
- General familiarity with compliance and regulatory concepts required; exposure to public company governance or disclosure considerations related to real estate transactions is a plus but not required at this level.
- Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical, and written/verbal communication skills.
- Sound, practical judgment and the ability to work autonomously with light supervision and support, independently managing a high volume of transactions and deadlines while recognizing when to seek guidance or escalate.
- Highly collaborative mindset with a demonstrated ability to quickly build trust and rapport with cross-functional, non-legal stakeholders.
- Commercially minded problem-solver who can proactively guide and steer business partners through ambiguity, competing priorities, and complex transactions toward practical resolution.
- Comfort operating within, and helping to continuously improve, standardized templates, playbooks, and processes.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the Teammate is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Teammate is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The Teammate must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and complete errands based on business needs.
Work Environment While performing the duties of this job, the Teammate regularly works in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
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