Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking a Real Estate Associate to join a sophisticated real estate practice in Los Angeles. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney with significant experience drafting and negotiating construction-related agreements who is looking to work on complex development projects and high-value real estate transactions.

The ideal candidate will have 5–10 years of experience advising developers, owners, investors, contractors, and other stakeholders on construction and development matters.

ResponsibilitiesConstruction & Development Transactions

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of construction-related agreements, including:
  • Design agreements
  • Architect agreements
  • Engineering agreements
  • Construction contracts
  • General contractor agreements
  • Construction management agreements
  • Consultant agreements
  • Development-related agreements
• Advise clients regarding project development, risk allocation, and contract administration
• Identify and mitigate legal and business risks throughout the construction process

Real Estate Matters

• Support commercial real estate development projects from inception through completion
• Advise clients regarding construction and development issues associated with:
  • Acquisitions and dispositions
  • Financing transactions
  • Joint venture arrangements
  • Mixed-use developments
  • Commercial projects
  • Hospitality, residential, and industrial developments
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, lenders, contractors, and project teams

Client Counseling

• Provide practical, business-oriented advice to real estate owners, developers, and investors
• Analyze and resolve complex contractual and project-related issues
• Assist clients with dispute avoidance and risk management strategies
• Collaborate with attorneys across real estate, corporate, tax, litigation, and environmental practices

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active California Bar membership or eligibility to practice in California
• 5–10 years of real estate and construction law experience
• Significant experience drafting and negotiating construction contracts
• Strong understanding of project development and construction risk allocation
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Strong communication and client relationship abilities
• Ability to independently manage sophisticated transactions and projects
• Strong academic credentials

Preferred Experience

• Large-scale commercial development projects
• Real estate finance and development transactions
• Design-build and construction management agreements
• Public-private development projects
• Hospitality, multifamily, office, retail, and mixed-use developments

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $250,000 – $300,000
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Generous paid time off and parental leave
• Employee assistance and wellness programs
• Professional development and business development support
• Formal mentoring and associate training programs

Why This Opportunity

• Work on sophisticated real estate development and construction projects
• Significant client contact and responsibility from day one
• Collaborate with a highly regarded multidisciplinary real estate team
• Direct mentorship from experienced real estate attorneys
• Entrepreneurial and collaborative firm culture
• Strong platform for long-term professional growth and advancement

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.

Job Tags

Contract work, Temporary work, For contractors, Work at office, Flexible hours

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