Mid-Level Commercial Real Estate Associate

Smith Anderson is the largest business and litigation law firm headquartered in North Carolina’s Research Triangle—one of the Southeast’s most dynamic regions for business growth, innovation, and commercial development. For more than 100 years, the firm has served as a trusted advisor to dynamic regional, national, and global companies, earning a reputation for legal excellence, deep market knowledge, and exceptional client service. Smith Anderson combines sophisticated legal counsel with a practical, business-focused approach, supported by a collaborative and collegial culture. Our Commercial Real Estate Practice is a core strength of the firm and an integral part of our continued growth. The group represents developers, investors, lenders, and family-owned businesses in a wide range of real estate and related corporate transactions. Our attorneys advise clients on the full spectrum of commercial real estate matters, including buying, selling, leasing, developing, financing, portfolio management, and joint ventures across all asset classes. The practice also regularly handles real estate‑related corporate and commercial matters, including acquisitions and divestitures. This is an opportunity to join a thriving and growing commercial real estate practice with meaningful responsibility and direct client exposure. The associate hired for this role will work closely with partners and other associates in an engaged, team‑oriented practice that values sound judgment, collaboration, and long-term professional development. The ideal candidate has between three to four years’ commercial real estate experience at a large or mid‑size law firm. Preferred experience includes immediate client interaction on all aspects of buying, selling, and developing real estate, including financing, construction loans, bridge loans, leasing property, and disposition transactions. Transactional experience is required , with buyer/borrower‑side experience strongly preferred, along with a North Carolina bar license and North Carolina experience. A background in non‑real‑estate corporate/transactional/M&A matters would be a plus, as would LLC/joint venture experience and real estate experience prior to law school. Additionally, the candidate should exhibit the following skills and characteristics: • Practical, solution‑oriented, and collaborative practice style • Ability to interact directly with clients, and work independently and as part of team • Exercise of judgment, use of practice problem solving, and willingness to take a leadership role in managing cases and other projects • Willingness to help continue to build a long‑term practice • Strong academic credentials and writing skills • Excellent communication skills • Commitment to provide highest quality service to our clients Why Raleigh / The Research Triangle Raleigh and the broader Research Triangle offer an exceptional professional and personal environment. The region is a major center for business, education, and innovation, anchored by leading universities, a strong commercial real estate market, and sustained economic growth. Attorneys practicing in the Triangle benefit from sophisticated, high‑quality work combined with a strong sense of community, reasonable cost of living, and an excellent quality of life—making it an attractive place to both build a practice and put down roots. Smith Anderson is committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, strategy, and cohesiveness that supports both our clients and our people. We offer a supportive professional environment with robust training and mentoring programs, meaningful engagement with firm leadership, and opportunities for career growth tailored to individual goals, including alternative career path mentoring and development options.⁠​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌⁠GIH-GBL_virecruit-virecruit_smithlawselfapply_t1114435163