Director, Real Estate Attorney
Chicago, IL, US, 60610
Job Summary
Verano Holdings is a national, vertically integrated operator of licensed cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail facilities. The Real Estate Attorney will support Verano’s real estate portfolio across multiple states, with primary responsibility for managing legal aspects of real estate transactions, leasing, development, and compliance. This role will partner closely with Real Estate, Construction, Finance, and Operations teams, as well as external counsel, to ensure timely execution of transactions and ongoing compliance with state and local regulations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate real estate related agreements, including leases, amendments, purchase and sale agreements, easements, licenses, and related ancillary documents
- Support acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing activities for cultivation, manufacturing, office, and retail locations nationwide
- Provide legal guidance on zoning, land use, and entitlement matters in coordination with internal stakeholders and outside counsel
- Manage due diligence for real estate transactions, including title, survey, environmental, and zoning reviews
- Coordinate with construction and facilities teams on development matters, including contractor agreements and landlord approvals
- Support lease administration activities, including abstracts, critical date tracking, and interpretation of lease obligations
- Assist with landlord and tenant disputes, notices, defaults, and enforcement matters
- Ensure compliance with state and local cannabis specific real estate requirements and regulatory approvals
- Partner with external counsel as needed to manage complex transactions and jurisdiction specific matters
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
- 7 to 9 years of experience practicing real estate law, preferably in a law firm or in house environment
- Experience with commercial real estate transactions, leasing, and development
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work cross functionally and provide practical, business focused legal advice
What We Offer
Verano Base Pay Range: $150,000 - $165,000
Actual pay is based on experience, qualifications, and location of the role. Roles may be eligible for annual bonus program based on individual and company.
Physical and Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position, move and/or position oneself, communicate, operate and/or prepare, place, position objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally move packages weighing up to 10 lb. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close observation and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Working Environment
Work is performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago