What are the responsibilities and job description for the Real Estate Finance Mid-Level Associate Attorney position at Direct Counsel?
Real Estate Finance Mid-Level Associate Attorney
Location: Charlotte, NC
Department: Real Estate
Salary: $310,000 depending on class year and experience
A leading national law firm is seeking a Real Estate Finance Associate Attorney with at least 4 years of experience to join its Charlotte office. The ideal candidate will have significant experience representing institutional lenders, investment banks, or CMBS platforms in connection with the origination of CMBS and/or CLO loans across a variety of commercial real estate asset classes, including office, retail, multifamily, hospitality, and industrial.
The ideal candidate will be familiar with rating agency criteria and securitization requirements, including the treatment of ground leases, cash management, and other structural features.
Key Responsibilities
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Draft, review, and negotiate loan documents, including loan agreements, promissory notes, mortgages/deeds of trust, guarantees, and ancillary documents
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Conduct and oversee due diligence, including review of zoning reports, leases, organizational documents, and third-party reports
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Structure transactions to comply with CMBS securitization requirements
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Coordinate with originators, underwriters, and securitization counsel throughout transactions
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Advise clients on structural and legal issues affecting securitization eligibility and marketability
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Coordinate closings and manage transaction timelines
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Work directly with clients, borrower’s counsel, and third-party service providers
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Support post-closing matters and loan reviews in anticipation of securitization
Qualifications
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At least 4 years of real estate finance experience
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Significant experience representing institutional lenders, investment banks, or CMBS platforms
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Experience with CMBS and/or CLO loan originations
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Experience across multiple commercial real estate asset classes preferred
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Familiarity with rating agency criteria and securitization requirements
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Strong understanding of ground leases, cash management, and transaction structuring
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Strong drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills
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Excellent writing skills and attention to detail
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Strong academic background
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North Carolina Bar admission required, or ability to waive into North Carolina
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Ability to effectively manage complex transactions and work collaboratively with clients, counsel, and third-party providers
The firm offers a collegial, high-performance environment with meaningful opportunities for professional growth, advancement, and collaboration within a nationally recognized real estate practice.
Application Materials: Resume, law school transcript, and deal sheet/representative matters list.
Salary : $310,000