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Associate Counsel

Kitson & Partners

Mixed Use

Fort Myers Shores, FL

Salary Estimate: $175,000.00 - $199,999.00

Employment Type: Full Time

Work Place: Office

Experience Required: 7+ to 10 years

Education Required: Graduate Degree

Benefits

Job Description

Kitson & Partners is a dynamic residential and commercial real estate development company dedicated to creating innovative and sustainable properties that enhance communities. We are committed to excellence in every project, fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking environment for our team members.

We are seeking a sophisticated, high-impact Associate Counsel to serve as a key driver of our real estate development operations at Babcock Ranch.

This is a senior-level, hands-on role designed for a practitioner who thrives in a fast-paced environment and possesses a deep mastery of the Florida development landscape.

Acting as a direct operational extension of the General Counsel, you will independently manage a substantial portfolio of day-to-day legal matters.

This position is built for a self-starter who can ramp up quickly, operate with minimal supervision, and provide the pragmatic, business-oriented guidance necessary to move complex projects from inception through completion.

Florida Real Estate Development (Primary Focus)

Lead legal strategy for development projects, including entitlements, platting, permitting, and declarations.
Draft and negotiate infrastructure agreements, easements, and covenants.
Manage the legal aspects of utility and infrastructure turnover to governmental entities, special districts, and owners’ associations.
Serve as the primary liaison between developer counsel, community associations, and governmental authorities.
Partner cross-functionally with construction, engineering, and finance teams to resolve regulatory bottlenecks and mitigate risk.

Transactional & Commercial Practice

Independently draft and negotiate a broad spectrum of agreements, including parcel transactions, design professional contracts, and vendor/procurement agreements.
Oversee closing processes to ensure seamless and efficient execution.
Provide ad hoc support for commercial leasing matters, including lease reviews, amendments, and estoppels.

Strategic Support

Own day-to-day legal execution, allowing the General Counsel to focus on enterprise-level strategy and corporate financing.
Identify and escalate novel or high-level risk considerations to the GC with clear, actionable recommendations.

Qualifications & Skills

Florida Expertise: Deep, practical knowledge of Florida’s real estate development laws, regulatory environment, and community association structures.
Business Acumen: A "dealmaker" mindset with the ability to balance rigorous legal protection with the company’s commercial objectives.
Autonomy: Proven ability to manage high-volume workloads and shifting priorities with minimal oversight.
Communication: Exceptional drafting skills and the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
Education/Licensure: Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active membership in the Florida Bar.

What we offer:

A competitive compensation and benefits package including health, dental, life, and short-and-long term disability insurances, a robust 401(k) Plan, an exciting opportunity, and the chance to grow and contribute to an energetic, collaborative team. We currently allow a Wednesday-only, remote Flexible Work Arrangement for qualified positions.

To apply, please submit your resume with salary expectations. Resumes submitted with salary requirements will have first consideration.

If you meet these qualifications, we invite you to apply online. We maintain a Drug Free / Smoke Free Workplace and perform reference checks and background screening. / EOE.

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