Real Estate Attorney (Special Counsel)

Henderson Group Recruiting; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 425,000 - 455,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Maternal and paternal leave

Generous vacation and sick time

Commuter benefits

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

Henderson Group, a leading AmLaw 50 firm in New York, is seeking a Special Counsel Real Estate Attorney to lead sophisticated real estate transactions including financing, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures. The role demands a seasoned attorney capable of independent work, mentoring junior members, and collaborating across departments.

The candidate will advise institutional investors, developers, REITs, private equity firms, and lenders, ensuring strong risk allocation and

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record.
• Active Bar Admission in New York, in good standing.
• 8+ years of substantive experience in real estate transactions, including finance, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures.
• Expertise representing borrowers and lenders in complex real estate finance matters, including mortgage and mezzanine loans, construction financing, and loan workouts.
• Strong experience advising on structuring and negotiation of joint ventures, purchase and sale agreements, and asset dispositions across asset classes.
• Ability to handle transactions independently while mentoring junior team members and collaborating across departments.
• BigLaw experience and familiarity with the pace of a top-tier, large New York law firm.
• Strong attention to detail, drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills; capable of managing client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the negotiation and execution of real estate transactions, including loan agreements, joint venture documents, and purchase and sale agreements.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to institutional investors, developers, REITs, private equity firms, and lenders on complex real estate matters.
• Work closely with attorneys in tax, corporate, and litigation practices to deliver integrated client solutions.
• Advise clients on risk allocation and mitigation strategies across the lifecycle of real estate transactions.
• Support the professional development of associates through hands-on training and mentorship.

Skills

Real estate transactions

Loan financing

Joint ventures

Negotiation

Leadership & mentoring

Client relationships

Cross-department collaboration

BigLaw experience

Legal drafting

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from a top-tier law school

Job description

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY - SPECIAL COUNSEL

Location: New York, NY

HYBRID

A leading AmLaw 50 firm is seeking a talented Special Counsel Attorney to join its sophisticated Real Estate Practice Group in New York. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned attorney to take on a leadership role advising on a wide range of high-value real estate transactions, including financing, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures, within a collaborative and entrepreneurial team environment.

Candidate Profile

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record.
• Active Bar Admission in New York, in good standing.
• 8+ years of substantive experiencein real estate transactions, including finance, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures.
• Demonstrated expertise representing borrowers and lenders in complex real estate finance matters, including mortgage and mezzanine loans, construction financing, and loan workouts.
• Strong experience advising clients on the structuring and negotiation of joint ventures, purchase and sale agreements, and asset dispositions across asset classes (office, retail, multifamily, hospitality, etc.).
• Ability to handle transactions independently while mentoring junior team members and collaborating across departments.
• BigLaw Experience: Familiar with the pace of a top-tier, large New York law firm.
• Soft Skills: Strong attention to detail, drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills are essential. The ideal candidate manages client relationships with ease.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the negotiation and execution of real estate transactions, including loan agreements, joint venture documents, and purchase and sale agreements.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to institutional investors, developers, REITs, private equity firms, and lenders on complex real estate matters.

• Work closely with attorneys in tax, corporate, and litigation practices to deliver integrated client solutions.

• Advise clients on risk allocation and mitigation strategies across the lifecycle of real estate transactions.

• Support the professional development of associates through hands-on training and mentorship.

Why Join Us?

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a top-tier real estate practice that combines deep industry knowledge with a commercial, client-focused approach. Our client is a recognized leader in real estate law and has handled some of the most complex and high-profile real estate transactions in the country.

As a member of this collaborative and high-performing team, you will be empowered to lead transactions, deepen client relationships, and work alongside respected industry leaders. The firm fosters a collegial culture, values innovation and diversity, and is deeply committed to supporting long-term professional success.

Compensation & Benefits

• Highly Competitive Salary: $425,000 – $455,000, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) plan; paid maternal and paternal leave; generous vacation and sick time, emergency childcare; commuter benefits; corporate discounts; and multiple employee wellness programs.
• Supportive Culture: Our client fosters a respectful and inclusive workplace that supports excellence, balance, and long-term success.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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