Real Estate Finance Associate (2-4 years)

Friedman Williams; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 235,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

Friedman Williams, an Am Law 200 firm, seeks a Real Estate Finance Associate (2–4 years) for its New York City office. You will work directly with two Real Estate Finance shareholders in a small, partner-led setting, handling sophisticated lending transactions and direct client exposure.

The role offers Cravath-scale compensation ($235k–$310k base) with hours-based and discretionary bonuses, a hybrid NYC schedule, and mentorship from senior partners within a national firm of 300+ attorneys.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of commercial real estate finance experience.
• Strong drafting, analytical, and communication skills.
• Excellent academic credentials.

Responsibilities

• Sophisticated institutional lending practice representing banks and other market participants.
• Broad range of commercial real estate financing transactions (mortgage, mezzanine, construction, bridge loans).
• Complex CMBS transactions and balance sheet financing structures.
• Exposure to loan assumptions, modifications, restructurings, and real estate dispositions.

Skills

CRE lending experience

Drafting & negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Job description

Friedman Williams is working with an established Am Law 200 firm seeking a Real Estate Finance Associate (2–4 years) for its New York City office. The firm offers Cravath-scale compensation, sophisticated institutional lending work, and an opportunity to work directly with senior shareholders in a small, partner-led office.

The incoming attorney will be the only associate in the NYC office, working closely with two Real Estate Finance shareholders, including the Office Managing Partner. This position offers significant client interaction, hands-on transactional responsibility, and direct mentorship, backed by the resources of a national firm with 300+ attorneys.

AT A GLANCE

• Compensation: Cravath-scale base salary ($235K–$310K for relevant class years), plus hours-based and discretionary bonuses
• Location: New York City; hybrid arrangements are determined by supervising shareholders
• Hours: 1,950 billable + up to 50 nonbillable hours annually (2,000 total)
• Experience: 2–4 years of commercial real estate finance experience
• Bar Admission: New York required
• Platform: AmLaw 200 firm with an established national Real Estate Finance practice

PRACTICE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sophisticated institutional lending practice representing banks, financial institutions, private equity funds, and other market participants.
• Broad range of commercial real estate financing transactions, including mortgage, mezzanine, construction, and bridge lending.
• Complex CMBS transactions, including conduit and single-asset/single-borrower financings, securitized and syndicated lending, and balance sheet executions.
• Additional exposure to loan assumptions, modifications, restructurings, and complex real estate acquisitions and dispositions.

IDEAL BACKGROUND

• Commercial real estate lending experience, including familiarity with CMBS and balance sheet financing structures.
• 2-4 years of relevant, sophisticated experience
• Excellent academic credentials and strong transactional drafting, analytical, and communication skills.

This is an opportunity to develop sophisticated real estate finance experience with direct access to senior leadership, meaningful client exposure, and Cravath-scale compensation.

For additional details, contact Sarah Latham at [e-mail]