Associate – Corporate (Real Estate) – Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Position Overview

McDermott Will & Schulte is seeking a Real Estate Associate to join its Real Estate practice in either its New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Miami office. The role involves supporting and/or leading sophisticated commercial real estate matters across acquisitions and dispositions, financing, joint ventures, leasing and development transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate key transaction documents (e.g., purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, loan documents, closing deliverables).
• Support (and as appropriate, manage) acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate assets (and related financings and joint ventures).
• Aid with real estate finance transactions, including reviewing and drafting loan documents and ancillary agreements (including senior/mezzanine and construction loan concepts, as applicable).
• Assist with commercial leasing matters (office, retail, industrial, mixed-use), representing landlords and/or tenants.
• Assist with issue spotting and legal analysis related to deal structure, risk allocation, and transaction strategy.
• Conduct and manage due diligence, including review/analysis of title, survey, zoning, environmental, and organizational documents.
• Prepare closing checklists and coordinate closings with clients, lenders, title companies, and opposing counsel.

Qualifications (Required)

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission in good standing in the jurisdiction where you will sit.
• 3-5 years of relevant real estate transactional experience.
• Strong legal writing, drafting, negotiation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with title and survey review, zoning/condominium review, and other diligence components.
• Experience working on complex commercial real estate purchase and sale, finance, development, leasing, and/or investment transactions.
• Experience coordinating closings and managing transaction documentation from signing through closing.

Pay

Expected Pay Range for Associates: 2026/2025 Class Compensation Years: $235,000 2024 Class Compensation Years: $245,000 2023 Class Compensation Years: $270,000 2022 Class Compensation Years: $320,000 2021 Class Compensation Years: $385,000 2020 Class Compensation Years: $410,000 2019 Class Compensation Years: $440,000 2018 and more senior class compensation years: $455,000

About the Role

The firm is committed to creating a culture of belonging that champions individuality as both a person and a professional. It offers competitive compensation, top benefits, award-winning professional development programs, and industry-leading wellness initiatives to support your life and career.