Real Estate Finance Associate

Brandon James Ltd; London; Hybrid; GBP 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm in Central London seeks a Real Estate Finance Associate at mid-senior level. This role involves high-value, cross-border transactions, advising on real estate finance, and leading a team while offering competitive salary and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including private healthcare

Pension

Wellbeing initiatives

Formal training and mentorship

Opportunity to work on landmark transactions across Europe

Qualifications

• 4-6 years PQE in a leading UK or international law firm.
• Experience with multi-jurisdictional transactions is necessary.
• Advantageous experience in structured finance, CMBS, CRE CLOs, or distressed debt.

Responsibilities

• Advise on complex real estate finance transactions.
• Draft core legal documents and identify key deal terms.
• Manage transactions and supervise junior lawyers and trainees.

Skills

Technical drafting skills

Communication

Transaction management

Team leadership

Commercial awareness

Education

Qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent)

Job description

A leading international law firm based in Central London is looking to appoint a Real Estate Finance Associate at mid-senior level to join its Tier 1-ranked team. Known for advising across the full spectrum of real estate finance transactions, the firm regularly supports major investment banks, credit funds, and asset managers on large-scale UK and pan-European deals.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Real Estate Finance Associate to join a market-leading team offering exposure to high-value, cross-border transactions across a wide range of asset classes, including investment finance, development finance, CMBS, CRE CLOs, and complex structured deals. The successful candidate will benefit from close collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and access to state-of-the-art legal technology and support frameworks.

The Real Estate Finance Associate’s role

The Real Estate Finance Associate will advise on all aspects of complex real estate finance transactions. You’ll be responsible for drafting core legal documents, identifying and advising on key deal terms, and managing transactions involving senior/mezzanine finance, back-leverage structures, and loan portfolio sales.

You will work closely with partners and lead on cross-border and cross-practice deals. This will involve direct client contact, coordination with external counsel, and supervision of junior lawyers and trainees. The role also includes contributing to client relationship development and knowledge sharing across the wider team.

The Real Estate Finance Associate

To be considered for this Real Estate Finance Associate role, you will be a qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent) with 4-6 years’ PQE gained at a leading UK or international law firm.

You must demonstrate:

• Strong technical and drafting skills in real estate finance

• A solid academic record

• Experience with multi-jurisdictional transactions

• Excellent communication and commercial awareness

• Strong transaction management and team leadership abilities

Experience in structured finance or advising on CMBS, CRE CLOs, or distressed debt will be advantageous.

In Return?

• Salary range: £130,000-£170,000

• Balanced hybrid working (minimum 50% in-office)

• Comprehensive benefits package including private healthcare, pension, and wellbeing initiatives

• Formal training, mentorship, and career development support

• Opportunity to work on landmark transactions across Europe