The Opportunity

We’re looking for an In-House Legal Counsel who takes ownership, thinks independently, and excels at making quick, informed decisions. You’ll need to be someone who embraces legal and compliance challenges with enthusiasm and sees them as opportunities to innovate and drive results.

Are you ready to be our legal and compliance expert—the go-to authority on everything from contract negotiations to regulatory matters? Can you juggle multiple projects, ensuring that every detail is correct, while operating in a fast-paced environment?

If you’re someone who consistently produces detailed, accurate work, can think outside the box to solve complex problems, and brings a deep understanding of commercial real estate law, we’d love to connect.

JOB OVERVIEW

We are seeking an experienced In-House Legal Counsel to join our growing team. This role is critical in providing strategic legal guidance for a broad range of real estate transactions and related asset management and leasing activities across our growing industrial portfolio in Texas, Florida, and Tennessee.

As the leader of the Legal team, you will play a key role in leasing, property and asset management, corporate governance, and general commercial contracts, in addition to overseeing market-related real estate, among other, transactions. Additionally, you’ll ensure compliance with risk management and insurance regulations, positioning Fort to mitigate legal risk and capitalize on growth opportunities.

We’re looking for a results-driven legal professional with CRE experience and an entrepreneurial spirit who can navigate complex business deals while contributing to the company’s long-term business objectives. This role can be based at our headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, or at our office in Dallas, Texas.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner closely with internal teams such as Finance, Transactions, Leasing, and Property Management to provide strategic support in deal structuring, due diligence, and execution of transactions.
• Oversee the entire contract lifecycle, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and termination or renewal of agreements for all transactions, partnerships, and third-party services, optimizing for both legal protection and commercial benefit.
• Manage all commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing, ensuring legal soundness and business value.
• Ensure all documentation complies with legal and business standards from initiation to renewal or termination.
• Provide ongoing legal support for tenant relationships, property management contracts, and other operational compliance issues, enabling Fort to maintain strong and profitable tenant partnerships.
• Advise on asset management, supporting activities like capital expenditures, leasing operations, asset disposition, and refinancing as needed.
• Drive corporate governance, drafting policies and advising on regulatory compliance across all business functions.
• Manage outside counsel to ensure that litigation strategies align with Fort’s business objectives, including managing disputes, selecting and coordinating with outside counsel, and overseeing legal proceedings to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Stay abreast of changes in real estate regulations and industry-specific laws to ensure the company remains compliant and ahead of legislative developments.
• Evaluate and advise on business and legal risks, embedding legal best practices into the organization that support Fort’s long-term growth objectives, mitigate risk, and drive operational efficiency and cost management.

REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and licensed to practice in Texas.
• A minimum of 5+ years of experience in commercial real estate law, including expertise in real estate transactions, leasing, and contract law.
• Proven success in negotiation, communication, and building collaborative relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a demonstrated ability to provide strategic legal support that contributes to business growth.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving business environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on legal and operational excellence.
• Experience with litigation management, including dispute resolution, arbitration, and the management of outside counsel.