Real Estate & Transactions Associate

Johnleonard; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

JOHN LEONARD is seeking a mid-level Real Estate & Transactions Associate in Boston to join a boutique transactional practice serving lenders, nonprofits, public entities, and mission-driven clients.

The role focuses on complex real estate deals, including financing, acquisitions, title work, and leasing, with a strong emphasis on collaborative, long-term client relationships and professional growth within the firm.

Qualifications

• Massachusetts bar membership or eligibility to waive in.
• 5+ years of experience in real estate law and transactional work.
• Experience with nonprofit community development strongly preferred.
• Experience with affordable housing, title, land use permitting, design and construction contracts, or condominiums.
• Experience representing lenders, borrowers, nonprofit organizations, or public-sector clients.
• Strong legal writing, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex transactions and exercise sound strategic judgment.
• Self-directed approach with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong academic credentials and a commitment to developing a long-term legal practice.

Responsibilities

• Represent lenders and borrowers in construction and permanent financing transactions.
• Advise clients on commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions.
• Handle landlord and tenant representation and related commercial leasing matters.
• Work on asset and equity acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, and organizational restructurings.
• Support nonprofit community development and affordable housing projects.
• Advise clients on title, land use permitting, design and construction contracts, and condominium matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex transactional documents and agreements.
• Manage transactions strategically while working collaboratively with attorneys and clients across practice areas.

Skills

Legal writing

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Massachusetts bar membership or eligibility to waive in

Job description

Salary Range: $130K-$175K | Bonus eligible

Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday | Exempt

Required: Massachusetts bar membership or eligibility to waive in

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization now or in the future.

About the Opportunity

A Boston boutique law firm is seeking a mid-level Real Estate & Transactions Associate to join its growing, mission-oriented transactional practice. The firm provides comprehensive legal services to financial institutions, community development financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, public entities, and other mission-driven clients.

The practice represents both lenders and borrowers in a wide range of real estate transactions, community development projects, affordable housing matters, and commercial transactions. This is an opportunity to work on complex transactions while developing a long-term legal practice within a collaborative, full-service firm.

Qualifications & Skills

• Massachusetts bar membership or eligibility to waive in is required
• 5+ years of experience in real estate law and transactional work preferred
• Experience with nonprofit community development strongly preferred
• Experience with affordable housing, title, land use permitting, design and construction contracts, or condominiums is a plus
• Experience representing lenders, borrowers, nonprofit organizations, or public-sector clients is beneficial
• Strong legal writing, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to manage complex transactions and exercise sound strategic judgment
• Self-directed approach with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong academic credentials and a commitment to developing a long-term legal practice

Key Responsibilities

• Represent lenders and borrowers in construction and permanent financing transactions
• Advise clients on commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions
• Handle landlord and tenant representation and related commercial leasing matters
• Work on asset and equity acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, and organizational restructurings
• Support nonprofit community development and affordable housing projects
• Advise clients on title, land use permitting, design and construction contracts, and condominium matters
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex transactional documents and agreements
• Manage transactions strategically while working collaboratively with attorneys and clients across practice areas

JOHN LEONARD is an equal opportunity employer committed to representation, belonging, and accessibility in the workplace. All applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.