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Hospitality Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title - Hospitality & Leisure Attorney Locations - Chicago, Phoenix (or) New York (or) Washington, D.C. Base Salary - $235,000 to $310,000 Industry: Legal *** Please only submit candidates with 2 ...

The Hospitality Associate plays a critical role in ensuring a seamless experience for clients, visitors, attorneys, and employees. This position requires professionalism, attention to detail ...

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Hospitality Attorney information

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$40.5K

$98.3K

$192K

How much do hospitality attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for hospitality attorney in the United States is $98,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hospitality attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hospitality Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and strong knowledge of hospitality law including franchise, real estate, and employment regulations. Familiarity with contract management software, legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and compliance tracking tools is often required. Excellent negotiation, problem-solving, and client-relations skills set top candidates apart. These competencies ensure that legal risks are minimized and business operations run smoothly within the highly regulated hospitality industry.

What do hospitality attorneys do?

Hospitality attorneys specialize in legal issues related to the hospitality industry, including contracts, licensing, compliance, and dispute resolution for hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses. They advise clients on regulatory requirements, handle negotiations, and represent them in legal proceedings to protect their interests. Strong knowledge of industry-specific laws and excellent negotiation skills are essential in this role.

Who are the typical clients or business partners a hospitality attorney works with on a regular basis?

Hospitality Attorneys frequently collaborate with hotel and restaurant owners, property managers, franchise operators, and real estate developers, along with in-house legal teams and external counsel. They often work closely with human resources and compliance departments to address employment law concerns and regulatory requirements. Day-to-day, you may also negotiate with vendors, represent clients in disputes, and review contracts for leases, acquisitions, or franchise agreements. This collaborative, multidisciplinary approach ensures legal protection throughout various business dealings in the hospitality sector.

What is a hospitality attorney?

A Hospitality Attorney is a legal professional who specializes in the laws and regulations affecting the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, resorts, and entertainment venues. They assist businesses with contracts, licensing, employment law, liability issues, and regulatory compliance. Their role also includes handling disputes, defending against lawsuits, and ensuring that hospitality businesses operate within local, state, and federal laws.

More about Hospitality Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Hospitality Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Hospitality Attorney job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Hospitality Attorney jobs? The most popular types of Hospitality Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Hospitality Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Hospitality Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Hospitality Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hospitality Attorney jobs are:
Infographic showing various Hospitality Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 13% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $98,330 per year, or $47.3 per hour.

Hospitality & Leisure Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel

Manhattan, NY โ€ข On-site

$235K - $310K/yr

Other

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Hospitality & Leisure Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking a Hospitality & Leisure Associate Attorney to join a highly respected global law firm.

Locations: Chicago, New York, Phoenix, or Washington, DC

Practice Area: Hospitality & Leisure / Real Estate Transactions

Overview: This is an exceptional opportunity for a mid-level associate to join one of the nation's premier Hospitality & Leisure practices within a globally recognized law firm. The group is widely regarded as a market leader in hospitality-related transactions and advises sophisticated owners, investors, developers, operators, and financial institutions on complex hotel and mixed-use real estate matters across the globe.

Position Overview: The ideal candidate will have 2โ€“4 years of real estate or transactional experience and an interest in hospitality-focused transactions. Associates in this practice work closely with industry-leading attorneys on sophisticated domestic and international deals involving hotels, resorts, mixed-use developments, financings, joint ventures, and operational agreements.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Draft, review, and negotiate hospitality and real estate transaction documents
  • Handle purchase and sale agreements, hotel management agreements, franchise and license agreements, and joint venture agreements
  • Advise clients on hospitality-related financings and loan documentation
  • Conduct due diligence and support all aspects of transaction execution
  • Manage transaction closings from inception through completion
  • Collaborate with attorneys across offices and practice groups on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters
  • Maintain regular client communication and support strategic transaction planning

Qualifications:

  • 2โ€“4 years of real estate and/or transactional legal experience
  • Prior law firm experience handling sophisticated transactional matters required
  • Hospitality industry experience is a plus but not required
  • Excellent drafting, negotiation, organizational, and analytical skills
  • Strong academic credentials and written/oral communication abilities
  • Ability to manage multiple competing deadlines in a collaborative environment
  • Active bar admission in the jurisdiction where the candidate will practice required

Compensation: Expected salary range: $235,000 โ€“ $310,000, commensurate with experience

This role offers the opportunity to join a nationally recognized Hospitality & Leisure practice with exposure to high-profile transactions, global clients, and a highly collaborative team environment.