Legal Counsel – Joint Ventures in London

When you join Hines, you will embark on a career journey fueled by vision and guided by leaders who set the standards of our industry. Our legacy is rooted in innovation and excellence, earning us a spot on Fast Company’s esteemed annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, as well as recognition as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Companies to Work For in 2024. Discover endless opportunities to grow and make your mark at Hines.

Hines is seeking an experienced lawyer to support its European business, with a particular focus on the structuring, negotiation and management of joint ventures, investment arrangements and associated transactional documentation. Reporting to Assistant General Counsel – Joint Ventures in Europe, this role will work closely with Hines’ investment, development, asset management and finance teams, and will provide commercially focused legal advice throughout the lifecycle of Hines’ European joint ventures and investments. The role will involve significant interaction with institutional investors, capital partners, external counsel and other professional advisers across multiple European jurisdictions.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Advise on the formation, structuring, negotiation and operation of joint ventures involving Hines and its investment partners across Europe.
• Draft, review and negotiate shareholders’ agreements, joint venture agreements, investment agreements, limited partnership agreements, articles of association, side letters and other governance documentation.
• Support the negotiation and documentation of equity commitments, shareholder funding arrangements, preferred equity and other investment structures.
• Advise on governance matters, including reserved matters, decision-making rights, deadlock provisions, transfer restrictions, exit arrangements and investor protections.
• Draft, review and negotiate management and service agreements (asset management agreements, development management agreements, etc.).
• Coordinate and oversee external legal counsel across relevant European jurisdictions, ensuring advice is commercially focused, proportionate and efficiently delivered.
• Provide legal input into transaction structuring, investment committee materials and transaction execution.
• Advise on amendments, waivers, consents and other matters arising during the ongoing operation of joint ventures.
• Support the management of disputes or potential disputes between joint venture partners where required.
• Identify legal and contractual risks and provide pragmatic solutions that balance risk management with Hines’ commercial objectives.
• Develop and maintain precedent documentation and contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes relating to European investments and joint ventures.
• Build strong working relationships with senior stakeholders across Hines and act as a trusted legal adviser to the European business.

Minimum Requirements include:

• Excellent academic qualifications.
• Licensed to practice law in the UK or other relevant European jurisdiction.
• In-house experience would be beneficial but not essential.
• At least 5 years’ post qualified experience working for a major law firm with experience in structuring and negotiating real estate joint ventures, corporate transactions, investment structures and associated documentation.
• Strong corporate IQ – i.e., know how to get things done within a corporate organization.
• Demonstrable organisational, problem solving skills, able to prioritise and work independently.
• Rigorous, detail orientated, flexible, versatile and with good people skills and ability to work in a multi-discipline team.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and confident advising senior executives.
• Fluent in English and proficiency in a second language will be considered as an asset.

At Hines, we strive for excellence as a leading global real estate investment manager, driven by our belief that real estate is fundamentally about people. Our diverse portfolio spans $93.2 billion of assets across such property types as living, office, retail, mixed-use, logistics and life science projects – all designed to enhance value, connection and inspiration. Our strategic approach integrates local expertise with global knowledge, taking calculated risks aligned with our convictions to exceed expectations and tailor solutions to our clients' needs.

While our projects are renowned for enhancing cities and pioneering sustainable practices, we recognise that the true driving force behind Hines' success is our 5,000 dedicated employees in 30 countries who draw on our 65-year history to build the world forward. This is why we prioritise investing in our people, offering comprehensive training, competitive compensation, robust benefits and generous vacation packages. By centering our focus on the growth and wellbeing of our team, we cultivate an inclusive environment where everyone, including our clients, can thrive.

Hines is proud to be named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2024. We are an equal opportunity employer and support workforce diversity.