Attorney - Commercial Real Estate

BBH New York; United States; On-site; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) in New York seeks an attorney with strong experience negotiating and interpreting transactional documentation for commercial real estate strategies. You will draft and negotiate mezzanine loans, bridge financings, joint-venture, LLC and operating agreements, and related purchase and sale documents.

The role requires 3–6+ years CRE experience, a JD from an accredited school, and active membership in a U.S. state bar.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school; active member of a U.S. State Bar.
• 3–6+ years of CRE experience at a reputable law firm, lender or investment platform.
• Strong understanding of CRE finance and/or equity joint ventures.
• Familiarity with investment vehicles, including 40 Act funds, private funds, and real estate funds.
• ERISA familiarity preferred but not required.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills with clear written/verbal communication.
• Experience with preferred equity and mezzanine financing structures a strong plus.
• Experience working with GSEs (Fannie, Freddie, HUD) a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, review, and negotiation of documentation for mezzanine loans, preferred equity, bridge and structured credit.
• Joint-venture, LLC, co-investment, and operating agreements; purchase and sale agreements.
• Intercreditor, recognition agreements, and lender consent packages.
• Coordinate and review legal due diligence and summarize findings for leadership and investment teams.
• Partner with external counsel to ensure efficient and risk-appropriate deal execution.
• Collaborate with business teams through the asset lifecycle; assist with amendments and restructurings.

Skills

CRE finance

Joint ventures

Due diligence

Negotiation

Regulatory/ERISA

GSE experience

Communication skills

Mezzanine financing

40 Act funds

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

At BBH, Partnership is more than a form of ownership—it’s our approach to business and relationships. We know that supporting your professional and personal goals is the best way to help our clients and advance our business. We take that responsibility seriously. With a 200-year legacy and a shared passion for what’s next, this is the right place to build a fulfilling career.

BBH & Co.’s Capital Partners line of business manages $50bn+ in fixed income assets and $10bn+ in structured credit assets through multiple private funds that invest in junior and residual tranches in securitizations. BBH&CO. is seeking an attorney with experience negotiating and interpreting transactional documentation related to commercial real estate strategies. This attorney should be nimble and intellectually curious, demonstrate excellent attention to detail, sound judgment, and must be able to manage multiple projects concurrently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Transaction Support & Documentation Support
  • drafting, review, and negotiation of documentation for: Mezzanine loans, Preferred Equity, Bridge and Structured Credit.
  • Joint-Venture, LLC, Co-Investment, and Operating Agreements.
  • Purchase and Sale Agreements.
  • Intercreditor, Recognition Agreements, and Lender Consent Packages.
• Due Diligence & Risk Assessment
  • Coordinate and review legal due diligence (title, survey, zoning, environmental, organizational).
  • Identify key issues and summarize findings for senior legal leadership and investment teams.
  • Partner with external counsel to ensure efficient and risk-appropriate deal execution.
• Cross-Functional & Asset Management Support
  • Collaborate with the business teams throughout the asset lifecycle.
  • Assist with amendments, extensions, modifications, and restructurings of investments.
  • Provide ad-hoc legal research, regulatory support, and process improvement recommendations.
  • Advise the fixed income team on new product opportunities and assist with the creation and drafting of transaction term sheets.
  • Provide support for Legal Department initiatives and matters as needed.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school, active member of a U.S. State Bar.
• Must have excellent professional credentials, including 3-6+ years of relevant commercial real estate experience at a reputable law firm, lender or investment platform.
• Strong understanding of commercial real estate finance and/or equity joint-venture transactions.
• Understanding of various investment vehicles, including 40 Act funds, private funds, and real estate funds.
• Familiarity with ERISA preferred but not required.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and succinctly with the capability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under pressure.
• Experience with preferred equity and mezzanine financing structures a strong plus.
• Experience working with GSEs (Fannie, Freddie, HUD) a plus.

Salary Range NY: $170,000 - $220,000 base salary + annual bonus target BBH and its affiliates' compensation program includes base salary, discretionary bonuses, and profit-sharing. The anticipated base salary range(s) shown above are only for the indicated location(s) and may differ in other locations due to cost of living and labor considerations. Base salaries may vary based on factors such as skill, experience and qualification for the role.

BBH’s total rewards package recognizes your contributions with more than just a paycheck - providing you with benefits that enhance your experience at BBH from long-term savings, healthcare, and income protection to professional development opportunities and time off, our programs support your overall well-being.

We value diverse experiences. We value diverse experiences and transferrable skillsets.

About BBH: Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) is a premier global financial services firm, known for premium service, specialist expertise, technology solutions and partnership approach to client management. Across Investor Services and Capital Partners, we work with an enviable roster of sophisticated clients who make BBH their first call when they are tackling their hardest challenges. Delivering for our clients and each other energizes us. We believe that how we do our work is just as important as what we do. We are relentless problem solvers who know our best ideas come from collective debate and development - so we are never possessive about our ideas. Every day we come together as a diverse community of smart and caring people to deliver exceptional service and expert advice - creating success that lasts. No matter where you sit in the organization, everyone is empowered to contribute their ideas. BBHers can pick up the phone and call any colleague, and they are happy to help. Expanding your impact beyond your daily role is part of how we operate as trusted partners to one another. We believe stability is a competitive advantage, but being stable means having the knowledge, skill, and discipline to evolve, often - pushing the boundaries of innovation. As a private partnership, every investment we make is in the relationships, technologies, products and development we believe are in the long-term interests of our clients and our people. Our long-tenured leaders are experts in their areas and are actively involved in the day-to-day business, taking the time to provide guidance and mentoring to build the next generation of BBHers.

Go to BBH.com to learn more about our rewards and benefits, philanthropy, approach to sustainability or how we support you to thrive personally, physically and financially. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law. Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) is a global financial services firm known for premium service and specialist expertise. BBH works with leading asset managers, financial institutions, private businesses and their owners, wealthy families, and sophisticated institutional investors. As a private partnership, we are uniquely built to put clients first and create success that lasts. We believe our success starts with yours.

At BBH, partnership is more than just a form of ownership—it’s our approach to business and relationships. Every day we come together as a diverse community of smart and caring people to deliver exceptional service and expert advice. Across Investor Services and Capital Partners, we work with an enviable roster of sophisticated clients who make BBH their first call when they are tackling their hardest challenges. No matter where you sit in the organization, everyone is empowered to contribute their ideas and perspective. BBHers can pick up the phone and call any colleague, and they are happy to help - which is why expanding your impact beyond your daily role is part of how we operate as trusted partners to one another. Delivering for our clients and each other energizes us. We believe stability is a competitive advantage, but being stable means having the knowledge, skill, and discipline to evolve, often - pushing the boundaries of innovation. Every investment we make is in the relationships, technologies, products and development we believe are in the long-term interests of our clients and our people. Our long-tenured leaders are experts in their areas and are actively involved in the day-to-day business, taking the time to provide guidance and mentoring to build the next generation of BBHers. With a 200-year legacy and a shared passion for what’s next, this is the right place to build a fulfilling career.