Associate Attorney - Transactions

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Transactions Attorney to join our Real Estate and Land Use practice groups. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in commercial and residential real estate development, land use entitlements, and complex transactional matters. This role involves advising a diverse client base—including local and national home-builders and commercial development entities through every phase of the project lifecycle, from initial due diligence to post-closing obligations.

Responsibilities

• Transactional & Contract Execution: Draft, negotiate, and interpret purchase and sale contracts, commercial leases, development agreements, reciprocal easement deeds, and loan documents for commercial, residential, industrial, and mixed-use projects.
• Land Use & Entitlements: Represent clients in securing development approvals, zoning verifications, plan and bond processing, and environmental permitting, including wetlands and stormwater mitigation.
• Due Diligence & Title: Oversee comprehensive due diligence reviews, including title examination, land use issues, and proffer analysis for land acquisition and development.
• Community & Commercial Associations: Draft, amend, and interpret legal documentation to establish governing documents for residential, commercial, and mixed-use property owners' associations (HOAs/POAs).
• Specialized Advisory: Advise clients on emerging real estate and business issues, including family subdivisions and specialized asset classes such as data centers and hospitality developments.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.): Required from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Experience: 3 years of relevant experience in real estate transactions, commercial development, or land use law.
• Bar Admission: Active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar (additional bar admissions in Maryland or Pennsylvania a plus).

Skills

• Industry Knowledge: Demonstrated familiarity with local municipal land use procedures across Northern Virginia and the Washington Metropolitan Area.
• Professional Engagement: Active participation in relevant industry organizations (e.g., NVBIA, CAI, NAIOP, or local bar associations).

Pay

Salary Range: $125,000 to $180,000; Mid-year and Year-End Bonuses are performance-based. The salary range for this position is determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skill level, and location.

Benefits

The firm offers a friendly office environment and benefits that include health insurance, 401(k) profit sharing, and paid time off and holidays.

Schedule

The hours are 9:00am – 5:30pm with a one hour lunch (37.5-hour workweek).