Real Estate Mid- to Senior- Level Associate

Our client is seeking an experienced Real Estate Associate at the mid- to senior-level to join its esteemed team. With a steadfast dedication to professional development and community engagement through an extensive pro bono initiative, this position enables you to shape your career trajectory while contributing meaningfully to society.

Key Responsibilities:
In the capacity of Real Estate Associate within this highly regarded Chicago-based team, you will assume a central role in guiding clients through some of the most intricate commercial real estate transactions currently shaping the market. Your responsibilities will encompass close collaboration with colleagues from diverse practice groups worldwide to provide comprehensive legal advice on matters ranging from acquisitions and dispositions to fund formation and leasing. You will be entrusted with preparing sophisticated agreements that underpin significant deals across an array of asset classes such as office buildings, multifamily housing complexes, logistics hubs, hospitality venues, data centers, retail spaces, lodging facilities, and gaming establishments. By conducting thorough due diligence reviews and liaising with key stakeholders, including lenders, investors, developers, landlords, tenants, and government agencies, you will help ensure that each transaction proceeds smoothly under client objectives. Beyond transactional work, you will have meaningful opportunities to mentor junior lawyers within the group while also engaging substantively in pro bono activities that reflect your values. The role is ideally suited for an individual who flourishes in a supportive yet intellectually rigorous environment where ongoing learning is encouraged through internal training sessions and knowledge-sharing events.

• Provide counsel to clients on all facets of sophisticated commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, joint ventures, fund formation, and leasing across various asset classes.
• Draft and negotiate detailed agreements about the purchase, sale, co-investment, construction, financing, development, leasing, management, operation, and investment in real property.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across more than fifty practice areas within the firm’s global network to deliver seamless legal solutions for cross-border transactions.
• Conduct meticulous due diligence reviews of properties and portfolios to identify potential risks and offer strategic recommendations to clients.
• Coordinate with external parties such as lenders, investors, developers, landlords, tenants, and governmental authorities to facilitate successful transaction closings.
• Assist clients in structuring bespoke investment vehicles and joint ventures aligned with their business objectives within the real estate sector.
• Remain informed regarding evolving market trends and regulatory developments impacting commercial real estate transactions both domestically and internationally.
• Support the professional growth of junior associates by imparting knowledge and best practices acquired through your experience in complex real estate matters.
• Participate actively in the firm’s pro bono initiatives by providing legal services to community organizations and individuals requiring assistance.
• Contribute to internal training sessions and knowledge-sharing forums aimed at fostering continuous learning within the team.

Key Requirements:
To thrive as a Real Estate Associate within this preeminent Chicago-based team, you will possess substantial practical experience overseeing complex commercial real estate matters at a leading law firm. Your background should include involvement in high-value transactions spanning multiple asset types—ranging from office towers and residential developments through logistics parks or hospitality venues—where you have played an integral part in structuring deals that fulfil client objectives. Your technical acumen must extend beyond agreement preparation; it should encompass risk assessment during due diligence phases as well as direct negotiation with counterparties such as lenders or government officials. Equally vital are your interpersonal strengths: you excel when collaborating across disciplines within large teams while also serving as a resource for less experienced colleagues seeking guidance. A genuine commitment to professional advancement is essential—whether through formal training opportunities or informal mentoring relationships—as is your willingness to contribute via pro bono service aligned with community needs. Your academic credentials should reflect rigorous legal training culminating in admission to practice law in Illinois.
Demonstrated experience managing sophisticated commercial real estate transactions involving acquisitions, dispositions, financings, joint ventures, or fund formation at an Am Law 100 or comparably respected law firm.
Comprehensive understanding of legal issues affecting various asset classes, including office buildings, multifamily residences, industrial sites, logistics facilities, hospitality properties, and data centers.

• Exceptional drafting abilities with proven expertise negotiating complex agreements related to purchase/sale transactions as well as leasing arrangements.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills facilitating effective collaboration with colleagues across multiple practice areas within a large international law firm setting.
• Proficiency in conducting detailed due diligence reviews of properties or portfolios while identifying potential risks or compliance issues pertinent to each deal.
• Experience engaging directly with external parties such as lenders/investors/developers/landlords/tenants/governmental authorities during transaction processes.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development evidenced by participation in training programs or mentoring relationships within previous positions.
• Dedication to contributing time and expertise towards pro bono initiatives supporting community organizations or underrepresented groups.
• Excellent organizational capabilities enabling efficient management of competing priorities within demanding transactional environments.
• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school, together with active membership in good standing with the Illinois Bar.

What sets this company apart:

• This institution distinguishes itself not only through its consistent recognition among America’s foremost law firms but also through its unwavering commitment to nurturing talent at every stage of your professional journey.

What's Next:
If interested in this position, please contact Andrew Scholz at +1 332 205 3890 or Andrew.Scholz@robertwalters.com