What are the responsibilities and job description for the Real Estate Associate Attorney position at Lateral Link?
** Confidential Position **
You're stuck on lender-side real estate deals drafting loan documents and reviewing title policies. Or you're doing generic commercial transactions where you never see the same client twice.
You should be representing developers on ground-up projects, structuring equity investments for sophisticated capital stacks, and building lasting relationships with entrepreneurial clients who do repeat business—not just churning out cookie cutter loan agreements for faceless banks.
You're ready to be a developer's trusted advisor, not just another lender's attorney.
A top tier national AmLaw firm is strategically expanding its Developer/Equity Side Real Estate practice to meet surging demand from real estate developers and equity investors executing complex transactions across multiple asset classes.
This isn't lender side work. You'll represent the developers and equity players—the entrepreneurs who are actually building projects and creating value.
What You'll Actually Do:
- Represent developers (not lenders) on acquisitions, ground-up development, and project finance
- Structure equity investments and negotiate partnership agreements for complex capital stacks
- Handle joint ventures, operating agreements, and investor documentation for mixed-use and multifamily projects
- Advise on sophisticated financing structures combining federal, state, and local incentives
- Work on acquisitions, dispositions, and development matters across various asset classes
- Negotiate with lenders, equity partners, and government agencies on behalf of developer clients
- Build direct, long-term relationships with entrepreneurial developers who will become repeat clients
- Get comprehensive mentorship from a partner who will personally train you in this practice area
What You Bring:
- 3-5 years of real estate experience at a sophisticated law firm (class of 2020-2022)
- Developer-side or equity-side experience is helpful but NOT required—the partner will train smart, motivated real estate associates who want to pivot into developer representation
- Could come from lender-side, general commercial real estate, or other real estate backgrounds
- Strong analytical and drafting skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset and genuine interest in learning developer-side work
- Excellent academic credentials
- DC or New York bar admission
What You Get:
- Top Compensation: Cravath scale BigLaw pay bonus
- Hands-On Training: Work directly with a partner who will teach you developer-side real estate from the ground up—even if your background is lender-side or general commercial
- Career Pivot Opportunity: Transition from lender-side or other real estate work into more entrepreneurial developer representation
- Developer-Side Work: Represent the builders and entrepreneurs, not the banks
- Direct Client Relationships: Build a book of business with repeat developer clients
- Sophisticated Structures: Complex capital stacks, public-private partnerships, and creative financing
- Diverse Practice: Multiple asset classes and transaction types
- National Platform: Collaborate with teammates across DC and New York offices
- Geographic Flexibility: DC preferred, but New York candidates strongly considered
The Catch:
Developer-side work moves fast and requires an entrepreneurial mindset. You need to be comfortable with ambiguity, creative problem-solving, and clients who expect practical business advice—not just legal memos. If you prefer the predictability of standardized transactions, this isn't the right fit.
But if you're a smart real estate associate who's ready to learn developer-side work—even if it's not your current focus—and want comprehensive training from a partner who's invested in your development, this is your opportunity.
Why This Role is Different:
Most firms want you to already have the exact right experience. This partner is willing to train the right person—even if you're coming from lender-side or general commercial real estate—as long as you're smart, motivated, and genuinely interested in developer representation.
Location:
Washington, DC (preferred) or New York
Apply Now:
DM me directly or send your resume confidentially to srushing@laterallink.com. All inquiries handled with complete discretion.
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