Estate Associate Jobs in Carol Stream, IL (NOW HIRING)

About Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins is one of the world's leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers globally and offer unmatched expertise and resources to help you grow from an intellectually curious self-starter into an exceptional lawyer. If you aspire to be the best, this is where you belong.
About the Practice Group
Latham's Real Estate Practice is consistently recognized as one of the premier practices in the industry. The group regularly earns top rankings from Chambers USA, with the Chicago practice group achieving Band 1 recognition for 2025. Latham's Real Estate Practice has also received top-tier recognition from Legal 500 US and was named Law360 Real Estate Group of the Year for 2025. The practice handles some of the largest and most complex multi-billion real estate transactions in the market.
Latham's global Real Estate Practice advises clients on landmark acquisitions, dispositions, management agreements, joint ventures, and financings across every major asset class, earning a reputation for excellence and innovation that attracts sophisticated clients and challenging work. Our clients include private equity and investment funds, public and private real estate operating companies, development partners, S&P 500 REITs, financial institutions, and other institutional investors. Associates collaborate with attorneys both locally and across the firm, regardless of their assigned office.
The Chicago Real Estate Practice is experiencing significant growth and offers an exciting opportunity for talented attorneys looking to join a high-performing team. We are seeking to add several associates to support the expanding practice, including one to two associates with substantial commercial leasing experience. Candidates with a background in data center leasing, build-to-suit transactions, or other specialized commercial leasing work are particularly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from attorneys at in-house legal departments and boutique or mid-sized firms who are eager to transition to a global platform and take their careers to the next level.
About the Role
The Chicago Real Estate Practice is seeking highly qualified associates to join our team. Our practice spans the full spectrum of complex real estate transactions, including joint ventures, development projects, acquisitions, dispositions, real estate M&A, financings, and commercial leasing. Candidates need not have experience across all of these areas; we encourage applications from attorneys with meaningful experience in one or more of these disciplines and will consider candidates for positions at an appropriate seniority level based on their background and skill set. Ideal candidates will be hard working professionals with strong drafting, analytical, and organizational abilities who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to contribute as valued team players.
If you are ready to advance your career with a market-leading practice and contribute to transformative real estate transactions on a global scale, we invite you to apply and explore what Latham & Watkins has to offer.
Main Contact Details
If you have any questions about the application, please contact:
Lateral Recruiting - Corporate
LateralRecruiting.Corporate@LW.com
Additional Information
Investing in the well-being of our lawyers and staff is among the firm's highest priorities. Through our "LiveWell Latham" program, we offer best-in-class benefits and comprehensive resources designed to support you and your loved ones through all life's moments - from building a family and taking care of loved ones, to managing your health and saving for the future.
Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.
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Please click here to review your rights under U.S. employment laws. In accordance with Latham & Watkins policies, associates in this role must protect and maintain any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains either as part of the legal services the Firm provides to clients or for internal purposes.
Los Angeles: Latham & Watkins LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO). Please click the link above to review the Ordinance.
San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please click the link above to review the Ordinance.
Massachusetts: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. An employer that violates this law may be subject to fines and/or a private right of action for $500 in statutory damages "for each such violation," among other things.
Pay Range
Associate Base Salary
Discretionary bonuses may be available depending on application circumstances and position.
Class ofUS Payroll2026$225,0002025$225,0002024$235,0002023$260,0002022$310,0002021$365,0002020$390,0002019
$420,000
2018$435,000