Affordable Housing Finance Attorney (Mid-Level)

Sheppard; California (MO); On-site; USD 310,000 - 390,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in Orange County seeks a mid-level associate attorney (4+ years) to join the Affordable Housing Finance team within our Finance Practice Group. This position is based in our Orange County office, with consideration for candidates to work from our NY office, Chicago office, or another California office.

The Affordable Housing Finance team represents banks and lenders nationwide in tax-exempt and taxable financings, construction-to-permanent loans, and

Qualifications

• Lender-side experience in affordable housing finance transactions.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent lenders in affordable housing and multifamily finance transactions.
• Draft and negotiate mortgage loan documents including intercreditor and subordinate financing.
• Conduct real estate and entity due diligence.
• Take ownership of projects and collaborate with team and clients.

Skills

Lender-side experience

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Sheppard, an AmLaw 50 firm, is seeking a mid-level associate attorney (4+ years) to join the Affordable Housing Finance team within our Finance Practice Group. This position is based in our Orange County office. Candidates interested in working from our firm’s NY office, Chicago office or another California office may also be considered.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is a global Am Law 50 full-service law firm with over 1,200 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide, advising clients on high-stakes litigation, complex transactions, and cutting-edge regulatory matters across key industries—including energy, real estate and development, financial services, healthcare, and technology. Sheppard is known for its collaborative culture.

The Affordable Housing Finance team represents banks, financial institutions and other lenders in affordable housing finance transactions nationwide, including in tax-exempt financing of affordable housing projects and tax-exempt and taxable bond transactions. The team advises clients across the full transaction lifecycle — from origination and closing through servicing, payoff, and, when necessary, workouts and enforcement — with particular depth in tax-exempt and taxable financings, construction-to-permanent loans, and agency program matters, including HUD, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae transactions. The team regularly navigates layered capital structures involving intercreditor arrangements, subordinate financing, and tax credit programs. This role offers direct client contact, meaningful opportunities to take ownership of deal workstreams, and strong training and mentorship within a collaborative team.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have Experience With The Following

• Representing lenders in affordable housing and multifamily finance transactions at a national or regional law firm, including tax-exempt and taxable construction, bridge, and permanent financings
• Significant lender-side experience drafting and negotiating mortgage loan documents, including intercreditor and subordinate financing arrangements for affordable housing and multifamily projects
• Conducting real estate and entity due diligence
• Working effectively with team members and clients while taking ownership of projects
• Strong academic credentials and outstanding writing skills

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• 4+ years of relevant lender-side affordable housing finance experience
• Admission to the California Bar preferred, but admission to Illinois or New York bar may also be considered.

Resume, cover letter, and law school transcript are required.

The annual salary range for this position is $310,000 - $390,000.

Contact: For inquiries, please reach out to Katherine Milanes at [e-mail].

Req #: 2026-25886