Associate General Counsel, Commercial Real Estate

Larson Maddox; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent law firm in Washington is seeking a seasoned legal professional to provide strategic guidance on multifamily mortgage assets. The successful candidate will lead and support negotiations, conduct real estate diligence, and collaborate with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate has 8-15 years of experience in commercial real estate finance, a Juris Doctor degree, and active bar admission in the U.S. This position offers a chance to work on high-value transactions in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 8 to 15 years of experience in commercial and/or multifamily real estate finance.
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Demonstrated success in leading negotiations and closing complex transactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations for financing instruments and servicing arrangements.
• Oversee real estate diligence for structured finance transactions.
• Advise on legal considerations related to multifamily lending.

Skills

Legal reasoning

Commercial real estate finance

Negotiation

Issue spotting

Drafting legal documents

Education

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school

Job description

Provide strategic legal guidance for the acquisition, financing, servicing, and ongoing administration of multifamily mortgage assets. Work autonomously and in partnership with internal and external attorneys to support complex, high‑value transactions and portfolio operations related to multifamily housing programs.

Core Transactional Responsibilities

• Lead and support negotiations for commitment agreements, financing instruments, servicing arrangements, and ancillary documentation
• Identify, evaluate, and resolve legal issues arising from loan acquisition, servicing transfers, portfolio administration, and other asset-level activities
• Conduct and oversee real estate diligence for structured finance transactions, warehouse facilities, and securitization deals
• Retain, direct, and supervise external law firms to ensure quality, consistency, and cost effectiveness
• Advise business teams on regulatory exposure and governmental engagement, including matters involving FHFA oversight and legislative inquiries
• Partner closely with colleagues across the legal organization to align legal positions and execution strategies

Business and Advisory (Non‑Deal) Functions

• Contribute to enterprise initiatives, new product launches, and enhancements to existing offerings
• Develop, revise, and maintain standard loan documentation, internal guidelines, eligibility criteria, and credit policies
• Provide legal input on pricing structures, cost methodologies, and economic considerations
• Support counterparty onboarding, lender oversight, and approval processes
• Advise on legal considerations related to research, branding, investor communications, and outreach materials
• Assist in identifying and mitigating legal and operational risks across the multifamily platform
• Recommend and implement improvements to workflows, controls, and procedures to streamline operations and reduce expenses

Collaboration, Training, and Communication

• Educate business stakeholders and legal colleagues on legal frameworks governing multifamily lending and securitized products
• Coordinate with fellow attorneys to promote uniform legal interpretations and negotiation standards
• Build and sustain productive working relationships with internal teams, seller‑servicers, counterparties, and their legal representatives
• Prepare clear, persuasive, and well‑organized written materials, including legal memoranda, correspondence, and transaction documentation, for both internal and external audiences

Required Background and Experience

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, in good standing
• 8 -15 years of substantive experience advising on commercial and/or multifamily real estate finance matters, either within a law firm or in‑house environment
• Demonstrated success leading negotiations and closing complex real estate finance transactions
• Exceptional legal reasoning, drafting, and issue‑spotting capabilities
• Deep understanding of market-standard deal structures, documentation, and closing protocols for commercial and multifamily loans
• Practical experience resolving lender‑borrower disputes and navigating customary financing challenges
• Familiarity with agency lending models, secondary mortgage markets, and CMBS transactions