At a Glance
Type of work | Transactional
Who you advise | Developers, REITs, lenders, private equity real estate funds, tenants, landlords
Pace | Generally more predictable timelines than M&A; deal-driven
Law school relevance | Property, Secured Transactions, Real Estate Finance, Contracts
What Is It?
Real estate law focuses on the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and sale of commercial and residential property. It plays a central role in commercial development, infrastructure investment, and real estate private equity. The practice includes both standalone real estate transactions and real estate components of larger corporate deals.
What Will You Actually Do?
- Structure and negotiate commercial property acquisitions and sales
- Draft and negotiate commercial leases and ground leases
- Advise on real estate financing and mortgage transactions
- Handle title issues, zoning analysis, and land use approvals
- Advise real estate investment trusts (REITs) on formation and compliance
As a Junior Lawyer, Expect To…
- Review title reports, surveys, and zoning documents
- Draft purchase agreements, lease agreements, and closing deliverables
- Manage closing checklists and coordinate between lenders, buyers, and sellers
- Conduct diligence on environmental and regulatory issues
This Might Be a Good Fit If You…
- Are interested in physical assets and the built environment
- Like detailed, document-heavy transactional work
- Want relatively predictable deal timelines
- Enjoy working with developers, investors, and financial institutions
Key Terms to Know
Mortgage/Deed of Trust: A security interest in real property given to a lender as collateral for a loan.
Title Insurance: Insurance that protects buyers and lenders against defects in a property’s title — such as undisclosed liens or ownership disputes.
Ground Lease: A long-term lease of land (not the building on it) — often used in major commercial real estate developments.
REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust — a company that owns income-producing real estate and must distribute most of its income to investors.
Easement: A right to use another person’s land for a specific purpose (e.g., a utility company running power lines across a property).