Associate - Real Estate Finance

About this role

Our client is a thriving, business-focused AmLaw 200 firm founded in 1952 in Chicago. The firm provides legal services to clients across the globe. Our market-leading practices include global transportation finance, finance/M&A, employment class action litigation, white collar litigation/government investigations, investment services and executive compensation.

Our client's Real Estate team is seeking an associate with 3-5 years of real estate finance experience for our Chicago or New York office.

Why Our Client?

• Gain substantive, hands-on experience working alongside our shareholders to build your skills

• Outstanding marketing and business development support to help you build your practice

• Extensive professional development training and mentorship programs

• Transparent path to partnership with clear guidelines and benchmarks

• 40+ individual attorneys recognized by The Legal 500 United States 2025

• 13 practices recognized by Chambers, including a Band 1 distinction for Transportation: Aviation Finance, the guide's highest honor for the 20th year in a row

3 - 5 years of experience in real estate finance at a law firm

Salary

$235K - $310K (Salary range is an estimate. Candidate can ask the firm for specific comp range during interviews.)

Hybrid work policy

3 days in-office

Location

Chicago, IL, New York

About Our Client

Our client have over 400 lawyers and professionals, serves a global client base from offices in Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Singapore, Dallas and Miami. We deliver high-value, best-in-class legal counsel in the areas of M&A/private equity, banking and commercial finance, complex litigation, executive compensation, employment law, investment management and other business-critical corporate matters.

Team size

367 employees

Founded

1952

About the team

Our client has a collaborative, approachable culture that many people describe as “Midwest Nice.” The environment is friendly, respectful, and down to earth, and that tone is noticeable from the interview process onward. While the firm is headquartered in Chicago, the culture is consistent across offices. People are encouraged to be themselves, and the atmosphere is professional without feeling stiff or performative.

The firm has a three-day in-office policy, which helps teams stay connected without feeling overwhelming. Day-to-day interactions are congenial at all levels, and the firm hosts regular in-office events along with quarterly associate gatherings. Socializing is encouraged but never forced, and there is a clear respect for personal time and work-life boundaries.

Our client offers BigLaw-level clients, training, and resources, but with a smaller-firm feel. Associates are hired directly into practice groups and receive substantive responsibility early, often working closely with partners. Partners are generally approachable and invested in associate development, with clear performance expectations and regular check-ins.

Work is leanly staffed and meaningful. Associates spend most of their time on substantive work such as drafting, client interaction, and managing parts of matters. The free-market staffing system rewards initiative, but there are systems in place to help junior associates find work and avoid falling behind.

The 1,850-hour billable target is widely viewed as reasonable, especially compared to traditional BigLaw firms. Hybrid flexibility, respected PTO, wellness benefits, and strong parental leave policies help make the workload feel sustainable. Training and mentorship are a mix of formal programs and on-the-job learning, and promotion paths are clear and realistic. Pro bono work is actively supported, with up to 100 hours counting as billable.

Overall, our client offers the chance to do high-quality legal work in a supportive and human environment. It is a good fit for people who want strong training and serious clients without a constant pressure-cooker culture.

Interview Process

1) Initial Interview

2) Full Rounds