Real Estate Finance Associate (Mid-to-Senior Level)

Oculus Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 260,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Oculus Group in New York City seeks a Mid-to-Senior Real Estate Finance Associate (3–8 years) to join a premier national practice. You will structure, draft, and negotiate complex loan documents for lenders and borrowers, lead transaction workstreams, and engage directly with clients across high-profile real estate debt deals.

The ideal candidate has 3–8 years of law firm CRE lending experience, strong drafting/negotiation skills, and NY Bar eligibility.

Qualifications

• 3–8 years of law firm experience on sophisticated commercial real estate lending.
• Experience with balance sheet bank lending is preferred.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation abilities; strong teamwork and leadership.
• J.D. from an accredited law school; NY Bar eligibility for NYC office.

Responsibilities

• Lender & Borrower Representation: structure, draft, and negotiate loan documents for lenders, banks, and borrowers.
• Debt Financings: manage workstreams for balance sheet lending, syndicated loans, and structured debt.
• Due Diligence & Execution: oversee title, survey, entity, and lease reviews through closing.
• Client Engagement: interact with real estate clients and financial institutions with autonomy.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Client engagement

Leadership

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

We are seeking an ambitious Mid-to-Senior Real Estate Finance Associate (3 to 8 years of experience) to join the premier national Real Estate Finance practice group of a top-tier Am Law 10 law firm in New York City. Because the firm’s Real Estate Finance practice is closely integrated across the U.S., candidates will be considered for the New York office, as well as other major metropolitan office locations including Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Cleveland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Irvine.

This opportunity is ideal for a driven attorney seeking significant responsibility, direct client interaction, and seamless teamwork on high-profile, sophisticated commercial real estate debt transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lender & Borrower Representation: Structure, draft, and negotiate complex loan documents and debt transaction agreements for institutional lenders, commercial banks, and borrowers.
• Debt Financings: Manage transactional workstreams for commercial real estate balance sheet lending, syndicated loans, and structured debt.
• Due Diligence & Execution: Conduct and oversee real estate due diligence, including title, survey, entity, and lease reviews, guiding transactions through to closing.
• Client Engagement: Interact directly with commercial real estate clients, financial institutions, and co-counsel with a high degree of autonomy.

Qualifications & Background

• Experience: 3 to 8 years of law firm experience working on sophisticated commercial real estate lending transactions.
• Preferred Background: Prior exposure to balance sheet bank lending is preferred, though not strictly required.
• Skills: Excellent drafting and negotiation abilities; superior academic background; and a strong desire for teamwork and leadership.
• Licensure: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school; active bar membership in good standing in the state of your target office location (New York Bar required for NYC office).
• Application Materials: Resume/CV, cover letter, and law school transcript are required.
• Base Salary Range: $260,000 - $550,000 annually, depending on class year, depth of experience, and target geographic office.
• Bonuses: Eligible for annual performance bonuses consistent with top-tier market standards.
• Top-market medical, dental, and vision health coverage.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with firm matching options.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and complete wellness programs.