Real Estate Transactional Attorney

Donahue Fitzgerald LLP is a full-service law firm with a legacy spanning over 140 years. We pride ourselves on being “real-world problem solvers,” offering the sophistication of a large firm with the agility and personal touch of a boutique practice. Our Real Estate practice group is a cornerstone of the firm, representing a diverse clientele in complex projects across the United States.

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Counsel or Partner-level candidate to join our Real Estate Practice Group in our Oakland office. This is an ideal role for an entrepreneurial practitioner who excels in a collaborative, intellectually challenging environment and is looking for a firm that values both high-level legal service and a healthy work-life balance.

We provide a 1,610-hour annual requirement, including tiered bonus opportunities for Senior Counsel who exceed their goals.

Job Duties

• Lead and manage all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisition, development, financing, leasing (landlord and tenant representation), and disposition.
• Perform and oversee sophisticated title and survey due diligence to identify and mitigate risks for clients.
• Advise on real estate-secured lending, mortgage loan originations, and modifications.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to property owners, developers, and investors, distilling complex legal issues into actionable business strategies.
• Work across practice groups (Tax, Litigation, Construction) to provide integrated solutions for multi-faceted projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Minimum of eight (8) years of transactional real estate experience in a law firm setting.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Must be a member in good standing of the California State Bar.
• Well-versed in commercial acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and disposition.
• Advanced proficiency in title and survey review and due diligence.
• Excellent communication skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset.
• Excellent legal writing skills for drafting legal documents, correspondence, and reports
• Must be detail-oriented
• Must be a self-starter with superior organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments from start to finish independently
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Ability to mentor and supervise associates and build strong relationships
• A portable book of business is a plus, but not required for the Senior Counsel role.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established firm that offers stimulating work, excellent career prospects, a collaborative work environment, and competitive benefits.

Total compensation for the Partner role is between $225,000 – $380,000 annually. Compensation includes both the base salary and additional compensation that can be earned above the base salary from working attorney fees and origination fees from business originated by the Partner.

The annual base salary for the Senior Counsel position is $195,000 to $215,000. Depending on billable hours, total compensation can range up to $269,000 for those at the lower end of the salary range, or up to $296,000 at the higher end.

Donahue Fitzgerald is an Equal Opportunity Employer.