Real Estate Associate

Pay: $180,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

WHY THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

• Join a nationally recognized, mid-sized law firm with nearly 50 years of focused experience at the intersection of business and government — and a reputation for outperforming larger competitors on quality and outcomes
• Work on genuinely complex, high-value real estate transactions — from one of the nation's largest agricultural land purchases to multi-block urban transit-oriented developments — no routine work here
• Collaborate directly with experienced partners in a small, well-regarded real estate group where your contributions are visible and your development is prioritized
• 1,700-hour annual billable requirement (including up to 100 hours of pro bono or business development) — a realistic target that supports work/life balance without sacrificing career growth
• Generous bonus structure for attorneys who exceed the target
• Flexible scheduling within a hybrid model — 3 days/week or 12 days/month in-office, with autonomy over how you structure your time
• Competitive compensation plus a comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, vision, 401(k) profit-sharing, paid time off, paid holidays, parental leave, life and disability insurance, EAP resources, and professional development support
• Regular feedback, training opportunities, and a firm culture built on mutual respect and genuine investment in its people

Location: This role is based out of our Washington, DC office. We operate on a hybrid schedule.

Note: Candidates must be a licensed attorney with 3+ years of direct experience in commercial real estate transactions, including drafting and negotiating acquisition, disposition, leasing, and/or financing documents. Active DC bar admission or eligibility to waive in is required.

ABOUT US

We are a nationally recognized law firm with nearly 50 years of focused experience helping clients navigate the complex intersection of business and government. Our collaborative team of attorneys and policy professionals provides legal counsel, regulatory compliance guidance, legislative and policy advocacy, and transactional support across the energy, environment, natural resources, and real estate sectors. With more than 100 professionals across offices in Washington, DC; Seattle; the Bay Area; Houston; and Baton Rouge, we've built a reputation for delivering sophisticated, high-quality results — even in difficult situations. Client service and value are our endgame. Confidential Employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Draft and negotiate transactional documents for acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, easements, licenses, and financing matters across a wide range of asset types and industries
• Lead due diligence, review title and survey, and coordinate closings to ensure all workstreams are completed accurately and on time
• Proactively identify legal and business issues, analyze risk in context, and propose practical, well-reasoned solutions
• Advance transactions independently with minimal oversight, exercising sound judgment and an ownership mindset
• Collaborate directly with partners and clients, providing responsive, business-minded counsel on complex matters
• Manage multiple concurrent workstreams with close attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy under deadline

QUALIFICATIONS

• JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active DC bar admission or eligibility to waive in
• 3+ years of experience in commercial real estate transactions
• Experience representing buyers, sellers, and/or developers in property acquisition, disposition, leasing, or financing
• Experience coordinating due diligence, including title and survey review
• Demonstrated ability to manage closings, coordinate workstreams, and drive matters forward independently
• Strong drafting, research, and written communication skills
• Excellent oral communication skills and ability to interact clearly and directly with clients and colleagues
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and accuracy

WHY YOU WILL LOVE WORKING HERE

Our real estate team is small, collegial, and widely respected for handling sophisticated work that most attorneys only read about. You won't be lost in a bureaucracy — you'll be known, supported, and rewarded. The firm has built something rare: a high-performance culture that genuinely values balance, invests in feedback and development, and trusts its attorneys to manage their own time. Our people take pride in thoughtful, high-quality work — and the firm takes pride in taking care of them.

JPC-1209

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

6/12 UPDATE: Only submit candidates that have clear longevity.

Requirements: Must haves: DC bar license. 3+ yrs of transactional real estate experience (acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and/or financing)

• Nice to haves:

• Preferred Years as Associate: 3+

• Additional context: Relocation- [yes]. Packages - [unsure]

• Salary Bands (Only if attorney role):

• 3 to 4 years experience: $180,000

• 5+ years experience: $185,000 to $200,000

• Bonus: Performance-based bonus for attorneys exceeding 1,700 billable hours

Submission Email: Name / Celeste -

cotsuka@vnf.com

Quick Recruiter Reference

Van Ness Feldman is a nationally recognized, mid-sized law firm (100+ professionals) specializing in energy, environment, natural resources, and real estate law and policy. Their small but well-regarded real estate group handles sophisticated transactional work — acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, financing, and development — for an impressive roster of clients including utilities, universities, transit authorities, and municipalities. They're seeking a 3+ year transactional real estate attorney for their Washington, DC office, with Seattle, Bay Area, and Houston also open.

Recruiters Submission: To submit, cancel - Real Estate Associate - Van Ness Feldman LLP - JPC 1209 - Source

*New Job Order Alert*

• Client job title: Real Estate Associate

• Location: Washington, DC

• On-site, hybrid, remote: Hybrid

• Experience: 3

• Good fit job titles/keywords for candidates: Real Estate Associate Attorney, Real Estate Transactional Attorney, Commercial Real Estate Attorney, Real Estate Counsel, Real Property Attorney, Transactional Real Estate Lawyer, Real Estate Associate, Land Use Attorney, Commercial Transactions Attorney

• # of hires needed: 1

• Open or not to recruiters on TE: Yes

• Job posting strategy (bottom of package details): RE Atty, 3+ yrs, DC