Vice President - Real Estate Transactions Attorney

Ascent Developer Solutions LLC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Comprehensive benefits

In-person collaboration in LA

Job summary

Ascent Developer Solutions LLC is seeking a VP, Real Estate Transactions Attorney to guide transactional and strategic legal work for a fast-growing private lender focused on real estate development. You will lead drafting and negotiation of loan documents, coordinate with lenders, operations, and executives, and shape programmatic elements for construction, bridge loans, and securitizations.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in real estate finance and a track record handling complex deals in a

Qualifications

• J.D. with active U.S. license.
• 8+ years in real estate finance law, preferably with lenders or institutions.
• Proven track record in complex real estate secured lending, including construction.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills with cross-functional impact.
• Experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate loan documents including deeds of trust and guarantees.
• Advise on risk allocation, compliance, and legal structure for transactions.
• Coordinate closing logistics with title/escrow and external counsel.
• Support programmatic construction, bridge loans, and securitization efforts.
• Provide guidance on state-specific requirements, lien priorities, and enforcement.
• Prepare term sheets, LOIs, and modification/forbearance agreements.
• Collaborate on defaults/workouts and capital markets transactions.
• Develop templates and checklists to streamline frontline operations.

Skills

Contract drafting

Loan financing

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Real estate lending

Program structuring

Leadership

Policy & compliance

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

Job description

About Ascent

Ascent Developer Solutions is a leading private lending platform, serving real estate developers nationwide in the acquisition, renovation, and construction of residential real estate. Founded by a leadership team with a deep understanding and personal experience in virtually every facet of real estate development, Ascent is uniquely positioned to create custom, innovative lending solutions for a variety of real estate development business strategies.

The Role.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial mid- to senior- level real estate attorney to join our growing legal team with Ascent Developer Solutions as a VP, Real Estate Transactions Attorney. Working with the General Counsel and our small and mighty legal/compliance team, this role involves working closely with our credit, loan officer, operations, and executive teams to provide transactional and strategic legal guidance to help us grow and scale the company and our lending operations. Ascent Developer Solutions has a nation-wide footprint and this role will focus strategically on loan originations (including continued strategic work on our loan origination platform and processes), negotiations, modifications, and enforcement matters. Ascent Developer Solutions provides short-term, secured business-purpose loans to best-in-class developers for the purchase, renovation, construction, and bridge of single family and multi-family assets. The ideal candidate has strong experience with real estate secured lending, excellent drafting and negotiation skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. This is an opportunity to help build and shape the legal function at a high-growth company, with meaningful visibility to senior leadership and a direct impact on the business. Strong experience in capital markets transactions is highly preferred and will be a significant differentiator for candidates.

The Work.

This role is suited for someone not afraid to roll up their sleeves and dive into complex and nuanced issues and deals that come part and parcel with a growing company. Working hand-in-hand with all members of the legal/compliance team and sales team, you will have a proactive and influential role in shaping the company’s trajectory – it is an exciting space and this role will be exciting for someone who loves to create and loves the thrill of new and novel deals. It also calls for a proactive and risk-oriented individual who has experience with a high-growth company, as the compliance needs will adapt as the company continues to grow.

Responsibilities.

• Draft, review, and negotiate loan documents, including:
• Loan agreements, promissory notes, guarantees, and security instruments (deeds of trust/mortgages).
• Intercreditor and subordination agreements.
• Repurchase agreements and similar financing arrangements.
• Advise internal stakeholders on legal structure, risk allocation, and compliance considerations.
• Coordinate with operational colleagues, external counsel and title/escrow agents on closing logistics.
• Review and analyze borrower entity documents, organizational charts, and SPE/separateness compliance.
• Support structuring and the creation/modification of programmatic elements for construction loans, bridge loans, and loan participations.
• Provide guidance on state-specific legal requirements, lien priorities, and enforceability, including as it relates to enforcement matters.
• Draft term sheets, letters of intent, and modification and forbearance agreements.
• Collaborate with leadership on default scenarios and workouts.
• Support capital markets transactions, including warehouse facility negotiations, securitization document review, and investor-side legal diligence.
• Create and maintain legal documentation templates, checklists, and best practices (including proactive creation of job aids and guidance for the front line).
• Collaborate and help maintain a team-oriented environment within the legal compliance team and in the company overall!

Your Skills and Experience

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active license in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in real estate finance law, preferably with a lender, law firm, bank, debt fund, or institutional investor.
• Demonstrated track record with complex deals and program structuring for real estate secured lending, including construction.
• Effective communicator with the ability to engage stakeholders across departments and management levels.
• Comfort liaising with and leading loan servicing, workouts, and enforcement matters.
• Experience in a highly collaborative environment, fostering an entrepreneurial culture, driving growth, and demonstrating leadership in problem-solving and innovation.
• Comfort managing a wide array of tasks across multiple product and business lines, with multiple concurrent transactions, and within a nation-wide footprint.
• Proactive, growth- and risk-oriented mindset with a focus on results.
• Team player!

The Pay

Salary range is $170,000-$196,000 per year with a discretionary bonus of 30% per year.

Location.

Ideally based in the Los Angeles area and able to collaborate in person with the team in Encino, CA. For candidates outside of California, periodic travel to our Encino headquarters will be expected.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits include four health plans, two dental plans, health savings account with employer contribution, flexible spending accounts, vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, and other optional benefits from which to choose.

Our Pledge

We pledge to be fair and considerate in hiring and promoting individuals, ensuring everyone can contribute their fullest potential regardless of background, identity, or personal circumstances. By promoting equal opportunity, we not only enhance our workplace but also contribute to a more just and equitable society. At Ascent, we stand united in building a community where everyone is empowered to succeed. Thank you for joining us on our journey towards a more inclusive future.

As set forth in Ascent Developer Solutions’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.