Job description

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide.

Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimize your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department purpose and structure

We offer a team of creative lawyers experienced in handling all types and stages of United States real estate transactions. Our clients choose us because they know we understand their objectives and offer them the innovation, experience, technical expertise, clarity of advice and commitment to get their deals done efficiently and effectively. We regularly handle transactions for the world’s leading private equity funds, investment banks, operators and developers, pension funds, REITs and sovereign wealth funds.

Real estate deals are becoming ever more complex. Increasingly they are cross-border, highly structured and involve sophisticated financing arrangements. A&O Shearman is ideally placed to advise on these sorts of transactions with our specialist real estate capability across all product lines, unparalleled reputation in finance and well-resourced global network.

We advise on acquisition and dispositions, development and construction matters, mortgage, mezzanine and construction loans, A/B and preferred equity structures, [internal agreements], loan workouts, distressed debt and asset acquisitions, joint ventures, leasing, real estate investment fund formation, and complex real estate mergers and acquisitions, in each case, across real estate asset classes.

We support our clients in their most important real estate projects on an international basis. With more than 90 partners and over 300 associates across our global network, we have both significant geographical reach and a wealth of real estate experience in the U.S., UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East.

Role purpose

The New York office of A&O Shearman seeks an accomplished associate to join its growing U.S. commercial real estate practice. Ideal candidates for this position will have 6-8 years of experience working on commercial real estate financings (including mortgage, mezzanine and construction loans) as well as acquisition and dispositions, joint ventures, commercial leasing, development and construction matters and/or other commercial real estate matters for a range of clients including private equity funds, investment banks, operators and developers, pension funds, REITs and sovereign wealth funds. The associate will be expected to assume significant responsibility for handling matters in this growing practice. Successful candidates will have excellent drafting and analytical skills, accurate and strong attention to detail, high level of organization, strong verbal and interpersonal skills, and an ability to manage multiple projects and people. A&O Shearman offers a collegial environment and an excellent opportunity to develop strong skills and growth within a leading global firm. Strong academics and admission to the NY bar are required.

Job Description

Role and responsibilities

Lead and manage all aspects of commercial real estate transactions from inception to closing
Draft, review, and negotiate loan documents, purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, leases, loan documents, and related transactional documents
Advise clients on real estate development and title and survey matters
Conduct and oversee due diligence, including title and survey review
Stay current on relevant laws, regulations, and industry trends

Team

This individual will report directly to the Real Estate partners and work closely with other associates and staff on the team. This role involves regular interaction with partners in the Real Estate team but also contact with all levels of staff within the group and other practice groups across the firm.

Key requirements

Qualified lawyer, with 6-8 years of experience in commercial real estate
Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding commercial real estate
Outstanding academic credentials
Sound experience of operating at associate level within a complex international organization
Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
Admitted to practice in the State of NY and in good standing

Equal Employment Opportunity, including Veterans and Disability

A&O Shearman is an equal opportunity employer, including Veterans and Disability. Every individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all aspects of an individual’s relationship with A&O Shearman, including, without limitation, recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

If you are vision-impaired or have another disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law and wish to discuss accommodations related to applying for employment at A&O Shearman, please contact US HR Transactions at US-HRTransactions@aoshearman.com or call +1 212 610 6300 and ask for HR Transactions.

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