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Posted July 30, 2026

Real Estate Senior Associate Attorney / Counsel

Direct Counsel
San Francisco, CA, US Full Time
365000USD - 435000USD per year

Job Description

Job Description
Real Estate Senior Associate Attorney / Counsel

Northern California (San Francisco)

Direct Counsel is seeking a Senior Real Estate Associate Attorney or Counsel to join an Am Law 100 firm in Northern California.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior-level real estate attorney with 5+ years of experience to join a growing, high-volume commercial real estate practice representing institutional equity investors, private equity real estate funds, and sophisticated lenders across the full investment lifecycle.

The practice handles a broad range of complex commercial real estate transactions, with significant exposure to both principal-side and finance-side matters. The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience across multiple areas of commercial real estate, with deep experience in acquisitions, dispositions, and financings. Joint venture experience is a strong plus.

Key Responsibilities
  • Leading commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions
  • Structuring and negotiating financing transactions
  • Advising institutional investors and private equity real estate funds
  • Drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, loan documents, JV agreements, and ancillary transaction documents
  • Counseling clients through all phases of the investment cycle, including acquisition, capitalization, asset management, and exit
  • Managing deal teams and serving as a senior day-to-day contact for clients and counterparties
  • Supporting sophisticated joint venture and co-investment structures, where applicable
Qualifications
  • 5+ years of commercial real estate transactional experience
  • Significant experience with:
    • Acquisitions
    • Dispositions
    • Real estate financings
  • Strong exposure to institutional investor and private equity real estate fund work
  • Joint venture experience preferred
  • Excellent drafting, negotiation, and project management skills
  • Ability to independently run sophisticated transactions in a BigLaw environment
Compensation

The expected salary range for this role is $365,000 – $435,000, depending on experience, seniority, and overall qualifications.

The firm offers a competitive benefits package, including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance
  • 401(k) savings plan
  • Backup childcare and eldercare
  • Professional development and leadership opportunities
  • Strong long-term partnership or counsel-track growth potential

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