Associate - Real Estate

plug-legal; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 220,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive market-standard benefits package

401(k) with profit-sharing

Paid parental leave

Professional development allowance

Job summary

The Cleveland office of plug-legal is seeking a junior to mid-level real estate associate to handle complex transactions in a sophisticated environment. You will manage significant commercial real estate deals with a focus on both client interaction and proactive deal-making.

Ideal candidates have 3 to 6 years of experience, preferably at an AmLaw firm or a reputable boutique. Competitive compensation includes a base salary of $220,000 - $250,000, with additional benefits such as health insurance and a performance bonus.

Qualifications

• 3 to 6 years of real estate attorney experience in a firm setting.
• Experience within an AmLaw platform or a respected regional boutique.
• Ability to handle a high volume of transactions and client communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex commercial real estate transactions from inception to closing.
• Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements and leases.
• Direct full-scale diligence and analysis including zoning and environmental matters.

Skills

Complex commercial real estate transactions management

Drafting and negotiating agreements

Direct client communication

Cross-practice collaboration

Job description

The Cleveland office of a premier AmLaw 100 firm is seeking a junior- to mid-level real estate associate to step into a sophisticated, transaction-heavy role. This is an opportunity for an attorney who wants the deal flow and complexity of a national platform while maintaining deep, direct client contact and genuine autonomy. You will join an established Business Practice Group that handles high-stakes matters for regional, national, and multinational corporations.

The Work

You will manage complex commercial real estate transactions from inception to closing. The work here goes far beyond rote diligence; you will actively shape deals across multiple asset classes.

• Lead Transactions: Draft and negotiate sophisticated purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, development agreements, and financing documents.
• Comprehensive Diligence: Direct full-scale diligence and analysis, including title and survey, zoning, environmental matters, and transaction structuring.
• Cross-Practice Collaboration: Partner with corporate teams to handle the critical real estate components of major mergers and acquisitions.
• Specialized Deal Flow: Gain exposure to niche, high-value sectors including real estate finance, joint ventures, hospitality, franchise acquisitions, and community development.

Who This Is For

You are an ambitious real estate attorney with 3 to 6 years of firm experience, ideally within an AmLaw platform or a highly regarded regional boutique. You are comfortable being the primary point of contact for clients, title companies, surveyors, and opposing counsel.

While a pure commercial real estate background is the standard fit, we also welcome inquiries from corporate or finance associates who have spent at least 50% of their time focused on real estate transactions, joint ventures, or project finance and wish to specialize fully.

The Platform

This firm offers the financial stability and brand equity of a national powerhouse, paired with a collaborative, midwestern culture that actively avoids the siloed atmosphere of peer firms. The real estate group is structured to reward initiative, meaning you will assume as much file responsibility as you can handle, backed by formal professional development and clear pathways to partnership.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base Salary: $220,000 - $250,000, commensurate with experience and class year.
• Bonus Structure: Eligibility for a performance- and hours-based bonus program.
• Benefits: Comprehensive market-standard package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with profit-sharing; paid parental leave; life and disability insurance; and a dedicated professional development allowance.

Apply in Confidence

If you are interested in exploring this platform without risking your current standing, let's start a conversation. Your inquiry will be held in the strictest confidence, and your credentials will never be submitted to the hiring firm without your explicit permission.