Associate Counsel

Location: St. Louis, MO 

Job Type: Full-time, In-person

Job Description 

Gardner Capital seeks to hire a mid-level transactional attorney as Associate Counsel to be located in its Clayton, Missouri office. Gardner Capital is an affordable housing and renewable energy developer, investor, and tax credit syndicator with a nationwide presence. Gardner Capital is committed to improving families’ well-being through the provision of quality, affordable housing and clean reliable solar-generated electricity.  

The successful candidate will have at least three years of legal experience and will be a member of the Missouri Bar or able to become a member promptly. The successful candidate will have experience in corporate or commercial real estate transactions. Experience in partnership tax, low-income housing tax credits and solar tax credit developments are pluses. The successful candidate will report to Gardner Capital’s senior counsel and will work closely with Gardner Capital’s General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, President, Chief Financial Officer, and other Gardner Capital team members. 

The essential duties and responsibilities of the Senior Counsel position include, but are not limited to: 

  • Support real estate transactions, financings, development matters, and asset management issues 
  • Coordinating with outside counsel across transactional and litigation matters 
  • Assisting with litigation strategy, risk analysis, discovery oversight, and settlement discussions when needed 
  • Improving internal legal processes, drafting quality, and consistency in how legal risk is assessed and communicated 

Preferred Qualities 

  • Experience with LIHTC or affordable housing, including partnership structures and regulatory considerations 
  • Prior experience, ideally with 
  • A real estate developer or operator 
  • An investment or asset-management platform 
  • Some litigation exposure, including: 
  • Working with outside litigators 
  • Reviewing pleadings, discovery, and motions 
  • Strong drafting, review, and negotiation skills 
  • Sound legal judgment and ability to separate real risk from noise 
  • Practical-business minded legal advice 
  • Comfort managing multiple complex matters at the same time 
  • Ability to operate independently and in a lean legal team 
  • Clear, direct communication with executives and non-legal stakeholders 

Education/Experience 

  • J.D. from accredited law school and active U.S. bar admission 
  • Approximately 3-5+ years of relevant legal experience 
  • Strong experience in real estate law, including transactions, development, financing, or asset management 
  • Solid foundation in corporate contract work 

Employee Benefits 

  • 401(k) 
  • Dental insurance 
  • Health insurance 
  • Life insurance 
  • Paid time off 
  • Vision insurance 

For all inquiries or applications, please contact Megan Barnes at [email protected].