New GC joins real estate developer in midst of multifamily and single-family growth
Southern Land Company (SLC), a national real estate developer of award-winning master-planned, single-family, multifamily, and mixed-use communities, has welcomed James Devlin as the company’s new General Counsel. Devlin, who has extensive experience in residential and commercial real estate law, leads the legal function for SLC and its portfolio of 24 active and upcoming communities across the US, providing strategic guidance on a comprehensive range of legal matters, including transactions, risk management, litigation, and intellectual property.
“We are fortunate to have James lead our legal team and put his expertise to work as SLC continues to grow,” said Tim Downey, SLC founder and CEO. “His wealth of experience in the luxury residential and commercial spaces has been evident from his very first day with us. We are better positioned for continued success with James at the helm of all legal activity.”
Devlin’s considerable background includes legal representation of distinguished assets and prominent brands, including the residences at 111 West 57th Street (also called Steinway Tower) in Midtown Manhattan, the residences at 27 East 79th Street in the Upper East Side, Hilton’s NoMad line of hotels, and the LINE hotel brand.
“It’s gratifying to join a growing company that takes such pride in its built product and resident experience, and such care in every step along the way,” said Devlin. “SLC’s approach is refreshing. It aligns with my desire to have an integral role in the creation and management of best-in-class assets.”
Immediately prior to joining SLC, Devlin was with Arbor Realty Trust, Inc./AMAC Holdings, where he most recently was Senior Vice President and Private Equity Counsel, following time as Vice President and Associate General Counsel. Devlin also held the position of General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at St. George Asset Management, LLC, and spent nearly 10 years in Real Estate Associate roles with Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Tenzer and Lunin LLP; and Thacher, Proffitt & Wood, LLP.
Devlin holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Binghamton University. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Devlin is based in SLC’s New York office at Rockefeller Center.
Currently, SLC has 11 active multifamily and mixed-use communities in seven states, containing 2,600 units, with eight new communities in development, which will introduce 2,900 additional units. SLC has five single-family-home and master-planned communities in various phases of development and operation, comprising 8,000 lots.
For more information about SLC’s portfolio, please visit https://southernland.com/.