Position: Senior Associate – Real Estate Transactions

Reports To: Owner & Managing Attorney

Employment Classification: Full-Time, Exempt, Remote

Do complex commercial real estate deals close cleaner when you’re on them?

We are seeking a Senior Associate to join our team, and we’re being deliberate about it. This is not a “help us keep up with volume” hire. This is the firm’s number two – the attorney who takes ownership of the most complex matters, mentors the team, and functions as a true extension of the Owner & Managing Attorney. If that sounds like a role you can grow into and own, keep reading.

HOW TO APPLY

We review applications carefully, and we see the process itself as a preview of how you work. Please follow these instructions exactly. Applications that do not follow instructions will not be considered, not because we’re being difficult, but because attention to detail and the ability to follow a client’s instructions are non-negotiable in this role.

Step 1: Prepare your application materials

• Resume

Cover letter that includes the following:

• Describe the three most important qualities a Senior Associate must bring to a boutique real estate transactional firm, and why.
• Explain why this role appeals to you specifically.

Step 2: Send your application

• Email your resume and cover letter (both in PDF format) to: careers@vellumlaw.com
• Subject line format: LASTNAME Senior Associate
• Example: SMITH Senior Associate
• Applications that do not follow instructions may not be considered.

Equal Opportunity & Employment Policy

Vellum Law PLLC is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

You will be the lead attorney on complex real estate transactions, from intake through post-closing. That means:

Commercial Leasing

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial leases across property types (retail, office, industrial, mixed-use, ground leases) for landlord and tenant clients.
• Analyze lease risk; summarize material terms for client decision-making; negotiate estoppels, SNDAs, amendments, and ancillary documents.

Acquisitions & Dispositions

• Draft and negotiate LOIs, PSAs, and related deal documents; lead due diligence, including title, survey, zoning, and risk assessment.
• Coordinate with lenders, brokers, opposing counsel, and other participants to facilitate timely closings.

Beyond the Deals

• Draft and negotiate corporate and commercial contracts: brokerage, vendor, management, and licensing agreements; collaborate with in-house legal teams of institutional clients.
• Oversee residential transactions and closings; resolve title, financing, and settlement issues requiring elevated legal analysis.
• Mentor junior attorneys and staff; review work product for quality and completeness prior to client delivery.
• Participate in client relationship development, referral network cultivation, and business development initiatives; conduct initial consultations as directed.

WHO YOU ARE

The statements below describe the attorney we’re looking for. Read them carefully. We mean all of them.

• You have meaningful transactional real estate experience, and you have been doing this long enough that complex deals don’t rattle you. They interest you.
• You draft clean, negotiating-ready documents the first time. Your work product does not require a second attorney to make it client-ready.
• You are annoyingly meticulous. You catch what others miss, and you consider that a point of professional pride, not a personality flaw.
• You manage multiple active matters simultaneously without dropping threads, missing deadlines, or waiting to be reminded.
• You communicate proactively. Clients hear from you before they have to ask. You write clearly, speak confidently, and never leave a counterparty confused about a client’s position.
• You are technologically competent and comfortable using document management systems, AI-assisted workflows, and modern legal technology tools.
• You function well without hand-holding. You bring solutions, not just questions.

This role is not a fit if you:

• Require extensive supervision to get work product to a client-ready state
• Have a messy inbox, messy files, and messy contracts
• Prefer highly structured environments with multiple levels of review
• Are not a self-starter

We are a boutique. That means more ownership, more client contact, and more visibility, but it also means you need to show up ready to perform.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Complex, interesting work. No assembly-line closings, no paper-pushing
• A firm that invests in modern technology, AI-assisted workflows, and smart operations
• A clear path toward advancement for the attorney who earns it
• D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active membership with the Florida Bar
• Meaningful real estate transactional experience
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex commercial leasing, acquisition, and finance transactions

We’re Vellum Law – a boutique real estate transactional firm based in Boca Raton, Florida, licensed in four states and growing. We do one thing: complex, high-value real estate transactions. No litigation. No hand-holding. No bureaucracy. Just sophisticated deal work and the kind of client service that earns referrals.