Acadia Realty Trust (NYSE:AKR) is a leading equity REIT headquartered in Rye, New York, with focus on premier street and open-air retail properties in the nation’s highest-barrier urban markets – including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Dallas, and Boston.
With ownership interests in approximately 228 properties and a portfolio anchored by marquee tenants, Acadia has established itself as a preeminent owner and operator in the urban and street retail space, as well as high-quality open-air shopping centers, including power and regional centers. Acadia operates through two complementary business lines: a core REIT portfolio focused on disciplined, long-term value creation, and an investment management platform that deploys capital opportunistically alongside sophisticated institutional partners. With significant acquisition activity and an active development, redevelopment, and leasing pipeline, Acadia offers a uniquely broad platform for legal professionals seeking sophisticated, high-impact work across a dynamic retail real estate portfolio.
Position Summary:
We are seeking a Mid-Level to Senior-Level Attorney to join our in-house legal team. The ideal candidate will have experience in commercial real estate, with a working knowledge of leasing and property operations. Experience in retail real estate is a plus.
Some of the key points that make this opportunity attractive include:
- Direct engagement with Acadia’s senior leadership, asset management, and leasing teams from day one.
- A concentrated, high-quality portfolio in marquee urban markets and premier open-air shopping centers means you will work on sophisticated, complex deals.
- Small, dynamic legal team with broad scope: the right candidate will quickly develop expertise across leasing, operations, and acquisitions diligence.
- Acadia’s work atmosphere is driven by creative, high-achieving individuals who are eager to serve as strategic contributors to the organization’s growth.
- Westchester location near the Harrison train station with a company provided shuttle service makes for an easy commute.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial leasing documents, including leases, amendments, assignments, letter agreements, SNDAs, and access agreements.
- Advise internal teams on lease interpretation issues, tenant defaults, and compliance with use restrictions and co-tenancy provisions.
- Manage and coordinate bankruptcy-related matters, including review of filings, proofs of claim, assumption/rejection motions, and other proceedings affecting landlord rights.
- Collaborate with outside counsel on operational matters.
- Support transactional legal matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and joint ventures.
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a top law school with current bar admission.
- Strong academic credentials.
- Meaningful years of relevant experience at a law firm or in-house legal department focused on commercial real estate; law firm training strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage a complex transaction load and deliver results on tight timelines.
- Familiarity with the legal and business dynamics of commercial leasing, including open-air shopping centers and urban retail properties, is a significant plus.
- Experience with tenant bankruptcies or litigation is a significant plus.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound legal judgment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a high level of professionalism.
- A commercially minded lawyer who delivers practical, solutions-oriented advice to facilitate the efficient execution of well-structured deals, rather than focusing solely on identifying risk.
Compensation:
The base salary compensation range for this role reflects the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including skills, experience, and organizational needs. A reasonable current base salary range for this position is $175,000 - $200,000, plus eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus based on individual and company performance. Acadia also provides a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), paid time off, and continuing legal education support.
Acadia Realty is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veteran and Disability