Real Estate Attorney (Special Counsel)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Leave

Job summary

The AmLaw 50 firm in New York seeks a Special Counsel Real Estate attorney to lead sophisticated transactions in a collaborative, entrepreneurial team. Candidate will handle financing, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures with a focus on high-value matters.

Qualified candidates have a JD from a top-tier law school, New York bar admission, 8+ years in real estate, and proven ability to mentor junior lawyers while working across practice groups.

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school.
• Active Bar Admission in New York in good standing.
• 8+ years of substantive experience in real estate transactions.
• Experience representing borrowers and lenders in real estate finance, including mortgage and mezzanine loans.
• Experience with structuring and negotiating joint ventures and real estate purchase/sale agreements.
• Ability to manage transactions independently and mentor junior team members.
• BigLaw experience and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiation and execution of real estate transactions including loan agreements and joint venture documents.
• Advise institutional investors, developers, REITs, private equity firms and lenders on complex real estate matters.
• Collaborate with tax, corporate, and litigation teams to deliver integrated client solutions.
• Advise on risk allocation and mitigation across the lifecycle of real estate transactions.
• Mentor and develop associates through hands-on training.

Skills

Real estate transactions

Finance

Acquisitions

Dispositions

Joint ventures

Negotiation

Mentoring

BigLaw experience

Attention to detail

Drafting

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

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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