Senior Real Estate Attorney Associate / Special Counsel - Lender-Side Real Estate Finance

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking an experienced Senior Real Estate Associate or Special Counsel with 6+ years of law firm experience to join a market-leading and growing commercial real estate practice in New York or Washington, D.C.

This opportunity is specifically focused on lender-side commercial real estate finance . The ideal candidate will have substantial experience representing lenders in sophisticated commercial real estate loan transactions and must be committed to maintaining a practice where at least 60% of their work is lender-side .

Locations

New York, NY
Washington, D.C.

Position Overview

The Senior Real Estate Associate / Special Counsel will represent lenders in sophisticated commercial real estate financing transactions , taking meaningful responsibility for matters throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Candidates should have significant lender-side experience and be comfortable working on complex commercial real estate loans. Construction lending experience is preferred but not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent lenders in commercial real estate loan transactions .
• Handle sophisticated lender-side real estate financing matters .
• Draft, review, and negotiate loan and financing documentation.
• Manage significant aspects of transactions from initial structuring and due diligence through negotiation and closing .
• Analyze real estate, financing, and transactional issues affecting commercial lending matters.
• Coordinate transaction execution and communicate effectively with clients, borrowers' counsel, and other deal participants.
• Collaborate with attorneys across a sophisticated and growing real estate practice.
• Maintain a practice with at least 60% of time dedicated to lender-side work .

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant law firm experience .
• Significant experience representing lenders in commercial real estate loans .
• Commitment to focusing at least 60% of practice on lender-side matters .
• Comparable sophisticated law firm experience.
• Outstanding academic credentials.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical, and transaction-management abilities.

Preferred Experience

• Construction loan experience is preferred but not required.
• Experience independently managing significant aspects of sophisticated commercial real estate financing transactions.

Compensation

Base Salary: $310,000–$435,000 , depending on seniority, experience, qualifications, and other applicable factors.

For associates with 6+ years of experience, the current salary scale includes:

• 6th Year: $390,000
• 7th Year: $420,000
• 8th Year: $435,000

Compensation for candidates considered at the Special Counsel level will depend on experience and qualifications.

Why This Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial real estate finance attorney who wants to build or continue a practice with a significant lender-side focus .

The role offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated commercial real estate loan transactions while joining a growing real estate department in either New York or Washington, D.C. Candidates with construction lending experience are particularly encouraged to apply.

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier legal employers and fostering inclusive hiring practices.