Legal Counsel
Side
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: San Francisco • California • United States
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Salary
💰 $160,000 - $260,000 per year
About the role
- Represent and advise the company and its agents in professional liability (E&O) lawsuits, administrative complaints, and compensation disputes.
- Manage outside counsel for specialized or high-stakes claims, ensuring aggressive and cost-effective representation.
- Act as a primary resource for agents facing legal challenges, providing calm, expert guidance under pressure.
- Lead the legal "playbook" for launching in new geographic markets, navigating varying state licensing requirements and brokerage regulations.
- Advise on the compliant integration of mortgage, title, and insurance services. Ensure all referral structures and joint ventures strictly adhere to RESPA, the Fair Housing Act, and state-specific laws.
- Drive negotiations with top-tier agents and teams to facilitate rapid growth.
- Review, draft, and negotiate complex agreements with vendors supporting internal corporate needs (SaaS, marketing, professional services).
- Architect and manage the contractual framework for third-party vendors who provide services directly to our real estate agent customers, ensuring seamless integration and risk allocation.
- Stay at the forefront of real estate industry trends, including the impact of Generative AI on brokerage operations and evolving NAR/MLS policy changes.
- Translate complex industry developments into actionable advice for the executive team and our agent network to maintain a competitive and compliant edge.
- Partner with our People Team to advise on employment issues and independent contractor classifications.
- Maintain deep knowledge of NAR, MLS, and Association of Realtors rules to ensure company policies remain competitive and compliant.
- Provide rapid, thorough legal recommendations that enable the business to move fast without taking on reckless exposure.
Requirements
- J.D. from a top-tier law school with an active bar membership in California. Bar membership in additional states is a plus.
- 7+ years of legal practice. Training at a large law firm (Big Law) is a plus.
- Proven experience working within a licensed real estate brokerage AND a high-growth technology startup.
- Deep understanding of professional liability and E&O claims. Mastery of RESPA Section 8 and affiliated business arrangement (AfBA) structures. Familiarity with MLS rules and agent compensation structures.
- You are not an "over-conservative" lawyer. You analyze risks thoroughly but make decisions quickly to support business momentum.
Benefits
- Stock options
- Best-in-class benefits, including 100% healthcare coverage (medical, vision, and dental)
- Flexible PTO
- Learning and development credit
- Pet-friendly environment
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
legal representationcontract negotiationrisk analysislegal complianceE&O claims managementreal estate lawdrafting agreementsemployment lawbrokerage regulationsjoint venture structuring
Soft Skills
calm under pressureexpert guidanceleadershipnegotiationdecision makingadvisory skillscommunicationstrategic thinkingproblem solvingcollaboration
Certifications
J.D.active bar membership