Real Estate Associate (3+ years experience)

VAN NESS FELDMAN LLP

$180K — $200K *
Real Estate & Construction
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience in real estate transactions
  • JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Active admission or eligibility for admission in relevant jurisdiction
  • Experience drafting and negotiating complex real estate documents
  • Proficiency in due diligence and closing coordination
  • Strong analytical skills for identifying and solving issues
  • Ability to work independently and drive transactions forward

Responsibilities

  • Draft and negotiate transactional documents for various real estate matters
  • Lead due diligence processes, including review of title and survey
  • Manage closings and coordinate multiple workstreams for accuracy
  • Proactively identify potential issues and recommend solutions
  • Provide practical recommendations based on business needs

Benefits

  • Flexible work schedule with a focus on work/life balance
  • Encouragement of pro bono and business development activities
  • Generous bonuses for exceeding billable hour targets
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) profit-sharing plan and employee wellness opportunities
  • Strong emphasis on professional development and training
  • Supportive and collaborative team culture
Full Job Description
Van Ness Feldman is seeking a real estate attorney with at least 3 years of relevant experience to join our Environmental, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Real Estate team. The ideal candidate will based in our Seattle office, but we are open to candidates based in another of our offices, including the Bay Area, Houston, or Washington, DC. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, a strong work ethic, an ownership mindset, and close attention to detail. This role supports a fast-paced, partner-led practice handling complex, high-value real estate transactions from inception through closing.

What You'll Do

No two days in our real estate practice are the same! The attorney in this role will draft and negotiate transactional documents for acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, easements, licenses, and financing matters across a range of asset types and industries.

The role will also include leading due diligence, reviewing title and survey, and managing closings to ensure workstreams are coordinated and completed accurately and on time.

This role requires proactively identifying issues, proposing solutions, and advancing transactions with minimal oversight, with an understanding of the business deal and the ability to provide practical, well-reasoned recommendations.

Skills and Qualifications:

Role Specific Skills and Experience

The most highly qualified applicants will have the following:

  • Experience representing buyers, sellers, and/or developers in sophisticated real estate transactions
  • Experience in commercial, industrial, and/or residential development, including drafting and negotiating complex documents related to property acquisition, disposition and development
  • Experience representing clients in negotiating and closing on financing
  • Experience coordinating and performing due diligence (including title and survey)
  • Experience coordinating and performing closings including managing multiple workstreams and ensuring accuracy
  • Demonstrated ability to identify issues early, analyze risk in context, exercise sound judgment, and offer practical, business-minded solutions
  • Ability to independently identify issues and present proposed solutions


Basic Qualifications

  • Graduated with a JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Active admission or eligibility for admission in in the jurisdiction in which the candidate will practice
  • 3+ of experience


Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong academic credentials
  • Strong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy

  • Excellent research, drafting, and writing skills, and ability to produce high-quality work on tight timelines
  • Excellent oral communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly, directly, and practically with clients and colleagues
  • Ability to manage matters independently and proactively drive work forward


  • Ability to quickly learn new issues and apply that understanding in practice


In addition to joining an active and highly collaborative team, the candidate will be part of a Firm that is committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance. Attorneys are expected to be in the office at least three days a week / twelve days a month, but scheduling is flexible. With a 1,700 annual billable hour requirement, (including up to 100 hours of pro bono or business development activities), attorneys are encouraged to work hard while maintaining balance outside the office. The Firm rewards attorneys who exceed the target with a generous bonus. The Firm also offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) profit-sharing plan; and employee wellness opportunities. The culture at VNF relies on mutual respect, appreciation, and support. A focus on professional development is central, including regular feedback and training opportunities. VNF seeks individuals who share this approach and bring a collaborative mindset and take pride in thoughtful, high-quality work.

For this position, the good-faith annual base salary range is $180,000 to $200,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and office location. In addition to base salary, compensation may include a bonus based on hours and other applicable criteria. The Firm also offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) profit-sharing plan, paid time off, paid holidays, parental leave, life and disability insurance, employee assistance resources, and professional development opportunities.

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