Real Estate Finance and Leasing Attorney

Simpson Judge USA; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Simpson Judge USA is seeking a Commercial Real Estate Associate in Chicago with 3-8 years of experience to work on sophisticated national deals. The role offers direct partner mentorship and exposure to multi-million dollar transactions, with a typical 50/50 split between commercial real estate and financing work.

The office operates on a hybrid model with two days per week in the Chicago office, across a global platform offering flexibility and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 3-8 years' experience advising clients on the purchase, sale and financing of real estate assets.
• Experience with real estate due diligence, leasing, development and joint ventures.
• Strong transactional, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Prior experience within a sophisticated law firm Real Estate practice preferred.
• A genuine interest in developing a broad commercial real estate and finance practice.

Responsibilities

• Advise sophisticated institutional investors, lenders, borrowers, sponsors, developers and owners.
• Work on complex real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financings, development, JVs and leasing transactions.
• Gain exposure to construction and development financing, structured secured lending and the broader real estate capital stack.
• Draft and negotiate key transaction documents and take increasing ownership of matters from start to finish.
• Collaborate with partners and colleagues across Chicago, New York, Seattle and other US offices.

Skills

Real estate transactions

Financing

Drafting

Negotiation

Job description

Location

Chicago - 2 days per week in office

Work with some truly great partners who are looking for their next protégé and future leader, offering close mentorship and hands‑on exposure to complex transactions from start to finish.

The work is approximately 50/50 commercial real estate and financing of real estate, including multi‑million construction and hotel financings, structured lending, acquisitions, dispositions, JVs, development and leasing. Clients include institutional lenders, pension funds, PE sponsors, international banks and asset managers.

The Chicago team is in the office two days a week, offering flexibility alongside the platform of a global firm.

What you'll be doing:

• Advise sophisticated institutional investors, lenders, borrowers, sponsors, developers and owners.
• Work on complex real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financings, development, JVs and leasing transactions.
• Gain exposure to construction and development financing, structured secured lending and the broader real estate capital stack.
• Draft and negotiate key transaction documents and take increasing ownership of matters from start to finish.
• Collaborate with partners and colleagues across Chicago, New York, Seattle and other US offices.

What they need:

• 3-8 years' experience advising clients on the purchase, sale and financing of real estate assets.
• Experience with real estate due diligence, leasing, development and joint ventures.
• Strong transactional, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Prior experience within a sophisticated law firm Real Estate practice preferred.
• A genuine interest in developing a broad commercial real estate and finance practice.

What's on offer:

• 1,850 billable-hour requirement.
• Approximately 50/50 commercial real estate and finance work.
• Exposure to Multi million dollar transactions and sophisticated institutional clients.
• Direct partner mentorship and a genuine pathway toward senior leadership.
• Two days per week in the Chicago office, providing flexibility within a global platform.
• Professional development, CLE opportunities, bar expense reimbursement and comprehensive benefits.

If you are a Commercial Real Estate Associate with a strong transactional or financing background looking to work on sophisticated national deals while developing alongside leading partners, get in touch to learn more.