Commercial Real Estate Associate — Philadelphia, PA

plug-legal; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 195,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with profit-sharing

Paid parental leave

Disability and life insurance

Professional development allowance

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

plug-legal, a prominent firm in Philadelphia, seeks a junior to mid-level real estate associate. This role offers direct file ownership and client interaction within a supportive, entrepreneurial environment. Ideal candidates have 2 to 6 years of commercial real estate experience and strong analytical skills.

Compensation includes a competitive salary ranging from $195,000 to $235,000, along with market-leading benefits including health insurance and professional development allowances.

Qualifications

• 2 to 6 years of dedicated commercial real estate experience.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Willingness to transition from corporate or banking finance.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements.
• Lead comprehensive reviews of title and zoning materials.
• Manage transactions from drafting to closing.
• Collaborate with finance and tax teams on investments.

Skills

Commercial real estate experience

Analytical writing skills

Transactional ownership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Job description

A prominent, multi-regional firm is seeking a junior- to mid-level real estate associate to join its established commercial real estate team in Philadelphia. This role is structured for an attorney who has solid foundational training but wants more direct file ownership, meaningful client interaction, and an entrepreneurial environment where you aren't buried under layers of hierarchy.

The Work

You will work closely with partners across a collaborative network of offices on sophisticated regional and national transactions. The practice spans the entire lifecycle of commercial real estate asset classes:

• Transactional Ownership: Draft and negotiate sophisticated purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, financing documents, and complex loan structures.
• Full-Scale Diligence: Lead comprehensive reviews of title, survey, zoning, and environmental materials for complex developments.
• Deal Coordination: Manage transactions from initial drafting through to closing, acting as a primary point of coordination for clients and opposing counsel.
• Interdisciplinary Exposure: Collaborate with corporate, finance, and tax teams on cross-border and multi-tier real estate investments.

Who This Is For

You are an associate with 2 to 6 years of dedicated commercial real estate experience looking for a platform that offers both high-quality work and clear runway for professional growth.

Funnel Hook: While a traditional commercial real estate background is preferred, this team is also open to corporate or banking finance associates who have spent a significant portion of their practice handling real estate-backed loans, asset acquisitions, or joint ventures, and who want to transition into a pure-play commercial real estate role. Strong academic credentials and sharp analytical writing skills are required.

The Platform

The firm blends the resources and infrastructure of a large multi-office network with the agile, entrepreneurial feel of a mid-sized practice. It is an environment where associate mentorship is intentional rather than accidental—you will be paired directly with senior partners who actively involve you in client development and strategic decision-making.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base Salary: $195,000 – $235,000, determined by experience and class year.
• Benefits: Market-leading comprehensive package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with profit-sharing plans; paid parental leave; disability and life insurance; a dedicated professional development allowance; and structured health and wellness programs.