Direct Counsel is seeking a Real Estate Associate Attorney to join a highly regarded California-based real estate practice in Sacramento.

This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney with 3+ years of meaningful real estate and finance experience to focus primarily on commercial real estate transactions, while working alongside a team that also handles development-related disputes and strategic counseling matters.

The role offers sophisticated exposure to the full real estate life cycle, from early-stage development through financing, asset management, and project execution.

Sacramento, California

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of commercial real estate transactional experience, including meaningful work involving:

• Commercial acquisitions and dispositions
• Real estate finance
• Development projects
• Asset management matters
• Leasing and operational agreements
• Due diligence and title review
• Transaction structuring and closing execution

This position is primarily transactional, though the successful attorney will work closely with litigators and counselors on broader real estate strategy matters when needed.

• Draft and negotiate:
  • Purchase and sale agreements
  • Loan and financing documents
  • Development-related agreements
  • Leasing and operational documents
• Support commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and financings
• Conduct due diligence, including title, survey, and project review
• Advise clients through early-stage development and project commencement
• Assist with asset management and ongoing property-related legal issues
• Collaborate with litigation colleagues on disputes when transactional support is needed
• Counsel clients on risk management and project strategy

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• 3+ years of real estate law and finance experience
• Strong background in commercial real estate transactions
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills
• Client-focused and highly responsive communication style
• Self-motivated, team-oriented, and eager to grow
• California bar admission preferred

Base salary range: $165,000 – $210,000

Compensation will depend on years of experience, transaction sophistication, and overall fit.

The ideal attorney will be:

• Transactionally strong in commercial real estate
• Interested in development-oriented work
• Comfortable with financing and deal structuring
• Entrepreneurial and client-facing
• Excited by Sacramento regional growth and project work
• Looking for a collaborative California platform

This is a compelling opportunity for a California real estate associate seeking substantive transactional work tied to active regional development and growth projects. The Sacramento platform is especially attractive for candidates interested in development, finance, and long-term client counseling relationships.