General Counsel

Atrium is currently seeking an experienced General Counsel to lead its growing legal department. The General Counsel will be responsible for leading this function with a priority focus around managing and supporting the growth of Atrium’s real estate portfolio. The ideal candidate will have experience managing ground up development projects, negotiating purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, structured finance agreements, commercial agreements, and related documents in connection with Atrium’s acquisition and disposition of its commercial real estate assets.

The General Counsel will also provide support and direction to Atrium’s Capital Planning team in connection with various development, on-site renovation and design projects. The ideal candidate must be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and build positive client relationships with diplomacy and business acumen while providing solutions-driven and timely counsel and advice to a wide range of business partners on a broad range of commercial real estate-related and other transactional matters.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Report to the Senior Vice President of Legal for Atrium Holding Corporation (with a dotted line of reporting to the President of Atrium Hospitality) on all legal matters affecting Atrium.

• Represent Atrium in all aspects of commercial real estate development, acquisition, disposition, commercial leasing, and merger and acquisition transactions from the due diligence phase through closing.

• Draft, review and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, loan documents, construction contracts, vendor services agreements, license agreements, SNDAs, estoppels, letters of intent, and other related documents in connection with complex commercial real estate transactions and/or disputes.

• Represent Atrium as borrower in structured financing transactions.

• Provide support to the Capital Planning team (construction, project management and design) by drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction contracts, vendor services agreements, license agreements, SNDAs, estoppels, LOIs and other related documents in connection with large-scale construction and design projects.

• Assist with securing all necessary approvals for hotel development projects including, but not limited to, permitting, zoning, land use, planning, insurance, inspections, internal and external approvals, and other legal compliance requirements (e.g. zoning variances, building codes, lien releases, ADA approvals, etc.).

• Manage and review reports and other due diligence materials related to potential title and environmental liabilities including, but not limited to, title reports, surveys, engineering reports, CC&R, easements, environmental (Phase I/II reports) and report findings as necessary.

• Assist with overflow corporate and transactional work, as needed, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, entity formation, and corporate governance documents.

• Develop and manage local and national outside counsel relationships in furtherance of Atrium’s legal and business objectives.

• Develop and manage a corresponding legal budget supporting such objectives. Negotiate fair and competitive legal fees with all outside counsel. Review, negotiate and approve legal invoices for accuracy and payment.

• Excellent drafting and negotiating skills demonstrating an exceptional level of business savvy and sophistication as well as attention to detail.

• Demonstrated track record of providing strategic direction around multiple projects and with competing priorities.

• Developing and managing client relationships within a high-energy, fast-paced, team-oriented environment while contributing to and fostering positive team morale and collaboration.

• Exceptional problem-solving skills demonstrated through sound negotiations, legal analysis, alignment, relationship skills and communication while remaining committed to assisting internal stakeholders with achieving optimal business objectives.

• Excellent interpersonal communication (verbal and written) and organizational skills.

• Strong proficiency with all Microsoft Office applications is required, including Microsoft Outlook. Must also demonstrate an ability to quickly adapt to new computer programs and software as introduced throughout the organization.

• All other duties as assigned in furtherance of Atrium’s business and legal objectives.

REQUIREMENTS:

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school (with excellent academic credentials).

• Active member in good standing with at least one state bar.

• Prior hospitality industry GC experience preferred.

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant legal experience with a top-tier law firm and/or corporate legal department handling complex commercial real estate transactions (candidates having substantial experience representing clients in the hotel or hospitality industries or other multi-state/multi-site real estate portfolios will be given special consideration). [Candidates must submit a list of most recent representative engagements and/or transactions managed, including outcomes achieved, for the last 2-3 years.]

• Travel requirements: 25%.