Position Summary: 

The Land Preservation Attorney will cultivate, negotiate, and conduct land transactions to preserve and expand conservation and preservation throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. They will manage a portfolio of 60 conservation easements and acquire, hold, and transfer numerous properties across the Openlands service area annually. The Land Preservation Attorney will manage a land stewardship coordinator and ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance (LTA) standards and practices as a nationally accredited land trust. They will work across functions at Openlands to advance its strategic goals and mission. They will build relationships and approaches to deploy land preservation models, collaborating with agencies and organizations to refine land transaction models and propose new ways to deploy land preservation models to accelerate the speed and scale of conservation.  

This is a hybrid, full-time, exempt position.

Supervised by the Director of Land Protection and Senior Counsel.  

Essential Functions 

• Identify and evaluate real estate opportunities aligned with Openlands’ conservation goals.  
• Manage real estate transactions from prospecting to contract to closing 
• Oversee a diverse real estate portfolio of conservation easements and fee properties  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with developers, landowners, government agencies, nonprofits, and community groups.  
• Provide technical assistance to federal, state, and local governments, and other non-profits to strategically acquire and permanently protect priority open space  
• Draft conservation easement documents, contracts, licenses, and related project materials.  
• Assist with document preparation and legal research.  
• Supervise staff responsible for conservation easement monitoring, reporting, and record-keeping in compliance with LTA accreditation requirements  
• Assist in managing outside Counsel when real estate litigation is necessary  
• Maintain an awareness of real estate opportunities in priority landscapes, generate new projects, and collaborate with conservation agencies to protect land and water  
• Lead and coordinate land trust reaccreditation and compliance activities, ensuring consistent record keeping and organization of records.  
• Lead and support fundraising efforts by cultivating donor relationships, securing grants, and aligning program priorities with development opportunities. 
• Support communications efforts on land protection projects and strategies 
• Represent the organization at key events, conferences, and donor meetings. 
• Perform other duties as assigned  

• Juris Doctorate
• Three to five years of relevant real estate legal experience preferred  
• Experience negotiating complex real estate transactions and agreements 
• Work independently and well with people and agencies  
• Strong writing and communications skills 
• Strong attention to detail and be extremely well organized  
• Coordinates multiple projects and meets deadlines with moderate supervision  
• Can travel throughout the Chicago region; driver’s license is required throughout the duration of employment  
• Working knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to real estate transactions, zoning, taxes, land use, remediation, and natural resources 
• Experience working across cultures, integrating thoughtful approaches to environmental justice, equity and diversity into real estate work  

 Compensation:  

Salary range: $70,000–$80,000, commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package including: Health, life, and disability insurance; 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer contribution. Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.  

 Note: We will contact qualified candidates for interviews shortly after the application deadline.  Cover letter AND resume required for consideration.  

Anticipated Hire Date:

January 2026