Real Estate Associate - Cravath Scale

Pathfinder Legal Placement; Washington, Baltimore (District of Columbia, MD); On-site; USD 235,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Pathfinder Legal Placement is assisting AmLaw 100 clients seeking Real Estate Associates with 2–7 years of experience for New York or Washington, DC offices. These are core seats on sophisticated teams handling acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and real estate finance with lender representation and due diligence.

The role offers Cravath-scale compensation with potential for meaningful bonuses, and a fast-paced, elite environment designed for candidates aiming at top-tier firms.

Qualifications

• 2 to 7 years of commercial real estate transactional experience at an AmLaw 200 firm or elite boutique.
• Direct experience with purchase and sale agreements, acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, real estate finance, and related matters.
• JD from a top law school with strong academic credentials.
• Admitted in New York or D.C., or eligible to waive in.

Responsibilities

• Engage in sophisticated commercial real estate transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing.
• Involve real estate finance, lender representation, title and survey diligence.
• Contribute to joint ventures, development matters, and real estate due diligence in M&A as applicable.
• Collaborate with partners on high-stakes matters within AmLaw 100 firms.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Workload management

Education

JD from a top law school

Job description

As a former Big Law corporate associate, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate the lateral market without clear guidance. I went through the process myself and ultimately lateraled to an AmLaw 5 firm, which gives me a practical perspective on what actually matters to firms and how candidates can position themselves effectively.

I'm currently recruiting for Cravath-scale AmLaw 100 firms seeking Real Estate Associates with 2 to 7 years of experience for their New York or Washington D.C. offices. These are core seats on sophisticated commercial real estate teams, with work spanning acquisitions and dispositions, real estate finance and lender representation, leasing (office, retail, and industrial), title and survey review, and general transactional due diligence. Some platforms also offer exposure to joint ventures, development matters, and real estate diligence in connection with M&A.

Key Qualifications

• 2 to 7 years of commercial real estate transactional experience at an AmLaw 200 firm or elite boutique
• Direct experience with one or more of the following: purchase and sale agreements, acquisitions and dispositions, commercial leasing (office, retail, industrial, or data center), real estate finance and lender representation, loan document drafting, title and survey diligence, joint ventures, development agreements, easements and declarations, zoning and land use, or real estate due diligence in connection with M&A
• JD from a top law school with strong academic credentials
• Admitted in New York or D.C. (depending on office), or eligible to waive in

Desired Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including direct experience with clients, title companies, surveyors, and opposing counsel
• Strong organizational and analytical ability
• Ability to manage a fast-paced, complex workload and handle significant individual responsibility
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team on sophisticated matters
• Professionalism and sound commercial judgment

Compensation

Base salary: $235,000 to $420,000, Cravath scale and class-year dependent

Bonus range: $30,000 to $115,000, based on performance and seniority

About Pathfinder

At Pathfinder, I've built our process entirely around the candidate experience, not just firm demand. Since leaving practice, I've helped associates nationwide secure multiple Cravath-scale offers at top firms.

We've placed numerous associates at AmLaw 100 firms and continue to see strong hiring momentum across corporate and real estate practices.