Commercial Real Estate Attorney – Associate / Senior Associate / Counsel

Location: Washington, DC (Primarily Onsite / Limited Hybrid Flexibility)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Compensation: Approximately $180,000–$320,000+ annually, depending on experience and seniority

Experience: 4+ Years of Commercial Real Estate Transactional Experience

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a highly respected, Chambers-ranked commercial real estate law firm in Washington, DC, seeking talented Commercial Real Estate Attorneys at the Associate, Senior Associate, and Counsel levels to join its growing practice.

With more than six decades of history, this established boutique firm represents sophisticated property owners, developers, investors, and lenders in complex, high-value commercial real estate transactions nationwide.

The firm handles transactions comparable in size and complexity to those at major national law firms, while offering a more collaborative, entrepreneurial environment with less bureaucracy, meaningful client interaction, and an emphasis on work-life balance.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney who enjoys sophisticated transactional work but is looking for greater autonomy, direct client relationships, and the opportunity to build a long-term career with a growing practice.

The firm is open to hiring multiple attorneys with complementary backgrounds and offers a potential path to partnership, including equity partnership, for individuals interested in helping shape the future of the practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate sophisticated commercial real estate agreements, including purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, loan documents, and related transactional documentation.
• Represent property owners, developers, investors, lenders, and borrowers in commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and financing transactions.
• Manage commercial real estate transactions from initial structuring and negotiation through due diligence and closing.
• Conduct and coordinate due diligence, including title, survey, and other transactional reviews.
• Advise clients on commercial real estate financing matters, including construction financing and other complex lending arrangements.
• Assist with real estate development projects, joint venture agreements, and related commercial transactions.
• Work directly with sophisticated clients, providing practical, business-oriented legal guidance.
• Collaborate closely with partners and other attorneys while independently managing assignments appropriate to experience level.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the practice.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 4 years of substantive commercial real estate transactional experience, ideally 4–8+ years.
• Active membership in the District of Columbia Bar or eligibility for admission by waiver. Attorneys admitted in Maryland or Virginia who qualify for DC admission will be considered.
• Demonstrated transactional experience in at least one or two of the following:
• Commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions.
• Commercial leasing, including drafting and negotiating lease agreements.
• Commercial real estate financing, including lender-side or borrower-side transactions.
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating commercial real estate agreements.
• Familiarity with due diligence, transaction management, and commercial real estate closings.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions and work independently at a level appropriate to seniority.
• Strong legal drafting, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact directly with clients.
• A practical, commercially minded approach to legal matters.
• Willingness to work primarily onsite in Washington, DC.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience representing commercial property owners, developers, or landlords.
• Lender-side commercial real estate financing experience.
• Experience with complex commercial leasing transactions and landlord representation.
• Exposure to construction financing, real estate development, or joint venture transactions.
• Experience handling sophisticated, high-value commercial real estate transactions.
• Background with a national, regional, or established boutique commercial real estate practice.
• Demonstrated interest in business development, client relationship management, and long-term practice growth.

A portable book of business is not required. Attorneys with established client relationships or business development experience are welcome.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

Sophisticated Transactions & High-Profile Clients

Work on complex commercial real estate matters involving major developers, property owners, and lenders, including multimillion-dollar acquisitions, large-scale development projects, joint ventures, and significant construction financing transactions.

Meaningful Responsibility & Direct Client Exposure

Unlike more traditional large-firm environments, attorneys are encouraged to take ownership of their work, collaborate directly with partners, and build meaningful relationships with clients.

Genuine Work-Life Balance

The firm values high-quality legal work while recognizing the importance of maintaining a fulfilling life outside the office. There is no rigid annual billable-hour minimum, and approximately 1,750–1,800 billable hours annually would be viewed favorably.

Collaborative, Close-Knit Culture

Join an established, collegial team that values teamwork, mentorship, professional development, and shared success rather than internal competition or unnecessary bureaucracy.

Long-Term Career Growth & Partnership Potential

As the practice continues to grow and experienced attorneys gradually transition their responsibilities, incoming attorneys will have opportunities to take on increasing responsibility, develop their practices, and potentially advance toward equity partnership.

Established Firm Stability

With approximately 64 years of history and a diversified commercial real estate practice, the firm offers an established platform for attorneys seeking long-term professional stability.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base compensation based on experience, qualifications, and seniority.
• Indicative compensation ranges from the high $100,000s/low $200,000s for less senior attorneys to the low $300,000s for experienced senior associates.
• Potential individualized bonus arrangements.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Comprehensive benefits package; details available during the interview process.
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate personal and family obligations.
• Potential for one remote workday per week, depending on experience and firm needs.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for qualified candidates.

Location & Work Arrangement

This position is based in Washington, DC, with a strong preference for attorneys who enjoy working collaboratively in an office environment.

The firm offers flexibility for personal commitments and may accommodate a hybrid schedule of approximately one remote day per week.

Candidates outside the Washington, DC metropolitan area who are willing to relocate are encouraged to apply.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a technically strong commercial real estate attorney who takes pride in delivering excellent legal work, enjoys building client relationships, and wants to become a valued member of a collaborative team.

We are particularly interested in attorneys who are:

• Motivated, hardworking, and committed to professional excellence.
• Independent and capable of taking ownership of sophisticated transactions.
• Collaborative, approachable, and client-focused.
• Interested in growing their expertise and developing long-term client relationships.
• Seeking a stable, supportive environment with meaningful opportunities for advancement.
• Excited about contributing to the continued success of an established commercial real estate practice.

Apply Today

If you're an experienced commercial real estate attorney seeking sophisticated transactional work, greater client exposure, a collaborative culture, and a more sustainable long-term career, we'd love to connect.

Apply with your updated resume to learn more about this opportunity.

All inquiries will be handled confidentially.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds.

TCWGlobal is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religious belief, or sexual orientation.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.