Senior Real Estate Associate or Counsel (5+ years)
Firm Description:
Our client is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm with a strong presence across key U.S. markets. With over 300 attorneys and a century-long legacy, the firm is known for its deep industry insight and collaborative approach to solving complex legal and business challenges. Serving a diverse client base—including corporations, investors, and government entities—the firm delivers strategic counsel across areas such as healthcare, finance, real estate, technology, and regulatory law. Their culture emphasizes responsiveness, innovation, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Position Description:
Our client, a leading Am Law 200 law firm, is seeking an experienced Commercial Real Estate Associate or Counsel to join its growing Real Estate Practice in Cleveland. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney with 5+ years of commercial real estate experience to handle sophisticated transactions for private equity funds, developers, investors, lenders, independent sponsors, and corporate clients.
The attorney will work on complex acquisitions and dispositions, commercial leasing, real estate finance, development projects, joint ventures, and private equity-backed transactions. The position also offers significant involvement in the real estate aspects of M&A and other broader business transactions.
Responsibilities
- Lead sophisticated commercial real estate transactions from term sheet through closing
- Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, easements, and related real estate documents
- Advise on acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, and joint ventures
- Handle the real estate components of private equity and M&A transactions
- Conduct and analyze title, survey, and other real estate due diligence
- Structure and negotiate mortgage loans, construction loans, bridge financing, and mezzanine financing
- Collaborate with corporate, finance, and tax attorneys on multidisciplinary transactions
Qualifications
- 5+ years of commercial real estate transactional experience with a law firm or in-house legal department
- Strong experience with acquisitions, dispositions, and commercial leasing
- Experience with private equity-backed real estate investments or the real estate aspects of M&A transactions
- Real estate finance experience strongly preferred
- Ability to independently manage sophisticated transactions and client relationships
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and organizational skills
- JD from an accredited law school
- Active Ohio bar admission
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This position offers the opportunity to join a nationally recognized real estate practice while maintaining a collegial, mid-size firm environment. The attorney will gain substantial responsibility on high-value transactions, work directly with sophisticated institutional and private equity clients, and collaborate across corporate, finance, and tax practices. The firm also offers strong professional development and advancement support.
Compensation
$230,000–$320,000, depending on experience, plus discretionary and hours-based bonus opportunities.
Meet Your Recruiter
Micah Pfotenhauer
Legal Recruiting Specialist
