Real Estate Finance Associate

plug-legal; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 205,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship and professional development

Incentive bonuses

Profit-sharing eligibility

Job summary

Plug-legal is seeking a Junior to Midlevel Real Estate Finance Associate in Philadelphia, PA, with 2-5 years of experience. In this elite role, you'll manage significant capital transactions and work closely with partners to craft successful strategies on national projects.

The firm offers a mentorship-driven culture and a competitive salary range of $205,000 - $275,000 with excellent total compensation. Ideal candidates should have strong analytical abilities and construction financing expertise.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of real estate finance experience focused on construction financing and multi-tiered transactions.
• Active bar admission in the state of interest.
• Demonstrated high-level analytical ability in law school.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in debt and multi-tiered capital transactions secured by real estate.
• Lead complex construction financing matters from inception to closing.
• Serve as primary counsel for capital providers and support borrower-side transactions.
• Navigate legal complexities of distressed commercial real estate matters.

Skills

Real estate finance experience

Construction financing

Debt-like equity

Superior writing skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Excellent academic credentials

Job description

Elevate your legal career by joining a long-standing national finance practice at the forefront of sophisticated capital markets. Our Firm is seeking a high-caliber Junior to Midlevel Real Estate Finance Associate (2–5 years) to join our dynamic team. This is an elite opportunity to handle high- stakes debt and equity transactions for a national client base within a firm renowned for blending technical mastery with a collegial, mentorship-driven culture.

About the Role

As a Real Estate Finance Associate, you will serve as a strategic advisor to leading lenders and capital providers navigating the complexities of multi-tiered capital stacks. You will manage a dynamic portfolio that balances structured finance and preferred equity investments with proactive distressed asset management. This role is designed for an ambitious, entrepreneurial practitioner who thrives in a national "Big Law" environment and is ready to take on meaningful responsibility and direct client contact across all 50 states.

Key Responsibilities

• Debt & Equity Structuring: Represent clients in a wide range of sophisticated debt and multi-tiered capital transactions secured by real estate projects.
• Construction Financing: Lead and manage complex construction financing matters from inception to closing.
• Lender & Borrower Advocacy: Serve as primary counsel for capital providers while maintaining a versatile practice that supports high-level borrower-side transactions.
• Distressed Assets: Navigate the intricate legal landscape of distressed commercial real estate matters and structured workouts.
• Strategic Collaboration: Work one-on-one with partners to translate complex financial theories into winning transactional strategies.

Requirements

• Experience: 2–5 years of real estate finance experience, with a particular focus on construction financing and multi-tiered transactions.
• Technical Proficiency: Meaningful experience with debt-like equity, structured finance, and the mechanics of national real estate projects.
• Bar Admission: Active membership in the state bar for the office location of interest is required.
• Academic Background: Excellent academic credentials and a law school record that demonstrates high-level analytical ability.
• Skills: Superior writing skills, a meticulous eye for detail, and an entrepreneurial spirit suited for a fast-paced, national platform.

Why This Opportunity?

• Elite National Platform: Join a top-tier finance department recognized for closing sophisticated deals across the entire United States.
• Mentorship & Growth: Benefit from a culture that prioritizes professional development, community engagement, and one-on-one partner mentorship.
• Innovation & Excellence: Work at the center of the real estate market, advising the institutions that define the future of commercial finance.
• Top-Tier Compensation: Competitive salary range of $205,000 - $275,000, with a comprehensive total compensation package including incentive bonuses and profit-sharing eligibility.

Location / Working Model

• Locations: Philadelphia, PA; Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; Baltimore, MD (Primary); Additional offices: DC, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Mt. Laurel.
• Working Model: Our firm values the synergy of a collegial environment and the mentorship of in-person connection. This role offers a modern professional setting designed to support both high-level client service and individual career trajectory.