Real Estate (Data Centers) Associate (2021/2021) - Chicago

Permanent Placements LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 225,000 - 390,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Parental leave benefits

Performance-based bonus opportunities

Professional development and careerAdv

Job summary

Permanent Placements LLC advertises an opportunity for a mid-level Real Estate Associate to join a leading global law firm in Chicago. The role emphasizes data center and digital infrastructure transactions within sophisticated domestic and international matters.

The candidate should have 4+ years of large-firm real estate experience, strong leasing expertise, and the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment, including cross-border coordination.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar.
• Minimum of four years of substantive real estate experience at a large law firm.
• Strong commercial leasing experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating lease documentation.
• Experience representing borrowers and lenders in real estate finance transactions.
• Experience involving data centers, digital infrastructure, or similar asset classes is preferred.
• Exposure to international transactions, cross-border matters, and local counsel coordination is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent domestic and international investors, developers, owners, operators, lenders, and institutional clients in data center, digital infrastructure, and other commercial real estate transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of transaction documents, including purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, commercial leases, development agreements, real estate finance documents, and closing documents.
• Advise clients on acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development, financing, and operational matters involving data centers and commercial real estate assets.
• Handle all phases of commercial leasing transactions, including structuring, negotiation, diligence, execution, and closing.
• Conduct and coordinate due diligence, including lease review, title and survey review, and due diligence reporting.
• Assist with multi-jurisdictional and international transactions by coordinating local counsel and managing cross-border diligence and execution processes.
• Analyze jurisdiction-specific issues affecting leasing structures, utilities, permitting, property rights, data center operations, and transaction execution.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Client-service orientation

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Our client, a leading global law firm, is seeking a mid-level Real Estate Associate to join its Chicago office. This position will focus on data center and digital infrastructure transactions while offering exposure to a broad range of sophisticated domestic and international commercial real estate matters.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in commercial real estate leasing, experience with complex real estate transactions, and the ability to effectively manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment. Experience with international transactions and cross-border coordination is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent domestic and international investors, developers, owners, operators, lenders, and institutional clients in data center, digital infrastructure, and other commercial real estate transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of transaction documents, including:
  • Purchase and sale agreements
  • Joint venture agreements
  • Commercial leases
  • Development agreements
  • Real estate finance documents
  • Ancillary closing and organizational documents
• Advise clients on acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development, financing, and operational matters involving data centers and commercial real estate assets.
• Handle all phases of commercial leasing transactions, including structuring, negotiation, diligence, execution, and closing.
• Conduct and coordinate due diligence efforts, including lease review, title and survey review, and due diligence reporting.
• Assist with multi-jurisdictional and international transactions by coordinating local counsel and managing cross-border diligence and execution processes.
• Analyze and communicate jurisdiction-specific issues affecting leasing structures, utilities, permitting, property rights, data center operations, and transaction execution.
• Support related M&A, private equity, fund formation, finance, and investment transactions requiring real estate expertise.
• Conduct legal research and prepare practical analyses regarding real estate, leasing, data center, and regulatory matters.
• Work closely with clients and internal teams to develop practical and commercially focused solutions.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar.
• Minimum of four years of substantive real estate experience at a large law firm.
• Strong commercial leasing experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating lease documentation.
• Experience representing borrowers and lenders in real estate finance transactions.
• Experience involving data centers, digital infrastructure, or similar asset classes is preferred.
• Exposure to international transactions, cross-border matters, and local counsel coordination is preferred.
• Experience conducting real estate due diligence, including title, survey, and lease review.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong client-service orientation and sound professional judgment.
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently and proactively.

Compensation

Base salary range: $225,000 - $390,000

Compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, practice expertise, and overall fit for the role.

Benefits

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off and leave programs
• Parental leave benefits
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Professional development and career advancement resources

Reporting Structure

This position works closely with and reports to firm partners within the Real Estate Practice.