Real Estate Associate

Empower Staffing, Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Empower Staffing, Inc. is seeking a mid-level Real Estate Associate to lead affordable housing transactions in NYC. You will own deals from signing through closing and work on multi-layered LIHTC financing with senior partners.

Ideal candidates have 3–6 years CRE transactional experience, strong drafting skills, and NY Bar admission, plus a collaborative, high-energy approach. LIHTC or M&A tax exposure is a plus, and you’ll grow with a fast-growing firm focused on community development.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with NY Bar admission.
• 3–6 years of commercial real estate transactional experience.
• Experience representing owners or developers of commercial or multifamily real estate.
• Strong drafting skills and a track record of closing deals with complex financing.
• Affordable housing or LIHTC experience is a strong plus.
• Prior M&A or tax experience welcome if most of your practice has been commercial real estate.
• A collaborative, high-energy attorney who does well in an in-person team.

Responsibilities

• Lead affordable housing transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and multi-layered LIHTC financing.
• Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, loan documents and organizational documents.
• Manage deal timelines and coordinate many parties across financing structures that combine tax-exempt bonds and tax credit programs.
• Work closely with partners and counsel on a flat, collaborative deal team, taking transactions from signing through closing.
• Get direct mentorship from a nationally recognized affordable housing attorney, plus weekly training sessions.

Skills

Real estate transactions

Drafting skills

Financing expertise

LIHTC experience

M&A / tax experience

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. degree

New York Bar admission

Job description

Mid-Level Real Estate Associate – Affordable Housing Transactions | NYC | $190K–$260K + Bonus

A fast-growing law firm focused on affordable housing and community development is looking for a mid-level real estate associate to join its New York office. The firm works on tax-exempt bonds, low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) and layered financing for developers nationwide. The work is sophisticated and tax-adjacent, and every deal helps create affordable housing.

This role is for an attorney who wants to own deals rather than handle pieces of them, and to learn the field from one of its most respected practitioners.

What you'll do

• Lead affordable housing transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and multi-layered LIHTC financing
• Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, loan documents and organizational documents
• Manage deal timelines and coordinate many parties across financing structures that combine tax-exempt bonds and tax credit programs
• Work closely with partners and counsel on a flat, collaborative deal team, taking transactions from signing through closing
• Get direct mentorship from a nationally recognized affordable housing attorney, plus weekly training sessions

What you bring

• J.D. from an accredited law school, with active New York Bar admission
• 3–6 years of commercial real estate transactional experience at a law firm
• Experience representing owners or developers of commercial or multifamily real estate
• Strong drafting skills and a track record of closing deals with complex financing
• Affordable housing or LIHTC experience is a strong plus
• Prior M&A or tax experience is welcome if most of your practice has been commercial real estate
• A collaborative, high-energy attorney who does well in an in-person team

Why this role stands out

• Base salary of $190,000–$260,000, plus a two-part annual bonus (guaranteed + discretionary)
• A reasonable lifestyle: 1,750 minimum billable hours, with a target of 1,850–1,900
• 20 days of PTO, 11 paid holidays, firm-sponsored lunches Tuesday–Thursday and remote Fridays
• A ground-floor opportunity at a young firm that has more than doubled in size in the past year, so you'll help shape its culture and direction
• Meaningful work that directly expands access to affordable housing

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.