Real Estate Associate
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Description:
A nationally recognized law firm is seeking a Real Estate Associate with at least 3 years of relevant experience to join its Environmental, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Real Estate practice group.
The ideal candidate will be based in the Seattle office, though candidates in other office locations may also be considered. The role supports a fast-paced, partner-led practice handling complex, high-value real estate transactions from inception through closing.
About the Practice
The real estate team is well regarded for representing a diverse range of clients, including colleges and universities, public housing authorities, public and private developers, transit authorities, publicly traded companies, utilities, and municipalities.
The team handles a broad range of sophisticated real estate matters, including large-scale agricultural land acquisitions, major urban core transactions, and complex property rights negotiations supporting large transit-oriented developments.
The group focuses on delivering practical, strategic counsel with strong execution across complex transactions and diverse asset types, emphasizing responsiveness, accountability, and efficiency.
Responsibilities
· Draft and negotiate transactional documents related to acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, easements, licenses, and financing matters
· Lead due diligence efforts, including title and survey review
· Manage closings and coordinate multiple transaction workstreams to ensure accuracy and timeliness
· Identify legal and business issues early and propose practical solutions
· Advise clients on transaction strategy and risk considerations
· Support end-to-end execution of complex real estate transactions with minimal oversight
Qualifications
Required Experience
· Minimum 3+ years of experience in real estate law
· Experience representing buyers, sellers, and/or developers in sophisticated real estate transactions
· Experience in commercial, industrial, and/or residential development transactions
· Experience negotiating and documenting property acquisition, disposition, and development agreements
· Experience representing clients in financing transactions
· Experience conducting due diligence, including title and survey review
· Experience managing closings and coordinating multiple workstreams
Core Skills
· Strong ability to identify issues early and analyze risk in a business context
· Ability to independently propose practical legal and business solutions
· Strong judgment and attention to detail
· Excellent drafting, writing, and legal research skills
· Strong oral communication skills with clients and colleagues
· Ability to manage matters independently and proactively drive work forward
· Ability to quickly learn new legal and business issues
Basic Qualifications
· Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LL.M. from an ABA-accredited law school
· Active admission or eligibility for admission in the jurisdiction of practice
· 3+ years of relevant legal experience
Preferred Qualifications
· Strong academic credentials
· Strong organizational and time management skills
· Ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines
· Collaborative mindset and strong professionalism
· Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, partner-led environment