Real Estate Associate

Job Overview:

An AmLaw firm client is seeking a Real Estate Associate Attorney with 5–7 years of experience in commercial real estate transactions to join its Los Angeles office. The ideal candidate will have substantive experience with joint ventures and borrower-side financing. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a top-tier real estate group on sophisticated transactions in a collaborative and career-focused legal environment.

Location:

• Los Angeles, CA

Duties:

• Handle complex commercial real estate transactions from inception to closing

• Structure and negotiate joint venture agreements involving real estate investments

• Represent borrowers in finance transactions, including construction and acquisition financing

• Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, leases, and related documents

• Conduct legal due diligence on real estate assets and entities

• Collaborate with clients, lenders, developers, and internal legal teams to execute real estate deals

• Advise clients on risk mitigation, deal strategy, and market considerations

Requirements:

• 5 to 7 years of commercial real estate transactional experience

• Extensive experience with joint ventures and borrower-side finance transactions

• Strong background in drafting and negotiating complex real estate contracts

• Demonstrated ability to manage sophisticated transactions independently and efficiently

• Admission to the California Bar is strongly preferred

Education:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school

Certifications:

• California Bar admission preferred; candidates with strong transferable experience in other jurisdictions may also be considered

Skills:

• Deep understanding of commercial real estate law, financing structures, and investment models

• Strong negotiation and transactional drafting skills

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication abilities

• Proactive problem-solving approach with client-first mindset

• Ability to manage multiple deal timelines and coordinate across legal disciplines

Benefits:

• Eligible for performance-based bonus

• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans

• Supportive and inclusive work environment with clear advancement opportunities

The Los Angeles office of this vigorous firm specializes in real estate law, environmental law, and civil litigation. The firm boasts an extremely dynamic group of attorneys; the firms partnership is both young (most are in their 30s and 40s) and talented. Associates are treated very well, and people are generally quite happy working here. Retention is incredibly high; in fact, approximately two-thirds of the associates who joined the firm in the last five years are still at the firm. Despite the firms size, salaries are only slightly below market.