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Real Estate Attorney

Northwestern Mutual · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Jul 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a real estate deal where you negotiated a key term. What did you give and get?

What they are checking: Whether they can negotiate firmly on behalf of an investor client.

Most of our legal work is handled in-house. How do you feel about taking on full deals with less outside counsel help?

What they are checking: Whether they are ready to lead transactions directly with mentorship from senior attorneys.

Tell me about a time you made a mistake on a deal and how you handled it.

What they are checking: Whether they own errors and fix them quickly, which matters in high-stakes transactions.

What would you do

A borrower asks for consent to transfer the property to a new owner. What do you review?

What they are checking: Whether they understand loan servicing consents and the risks to the lender.

How do you explain a legal risk to a real estate investment professional who wants to close fast?

What they are checking: Whether they can give practical advice that helps the business move while protecting the company.

How do you manage several deals closing at the same time?

What they are checking: Whether they can organize their workload and keep deals on track under pressure.

About the work

Walk me through the key documents and issues in a floating rate commercial mortgage loan.

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience documenting the loan types the posting lists.

How does a construction loan differ from a permanent loan from a lender's legal perspective?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the extra risks and protections in construction lending.

What are the main issues you look for in a joint venture agreement for a development project?

What they are checking: Whether they understand JV structures and control rights in real estate equity deals.

What do you look for when reviewing a lease on a property that secures one of our loans?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how leases affect collateral value and lender protections.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Mutual.

The Northwestern Mutual Law Department is seeking an experienced and agile real estate attorney to join our Real Estate Investment Team. You’ll have the opportunity to lead sophisticated real estate transactions, working alongside top real estate talent. This role is well-suited for an early-career attorney who is ready to take on increasing responsibility with strong mentorship and support from experienced in-house attorneys. About the Job: This attorney will support the Company’s $60+ billion real estate investment portfolio, including providing legal advice on matters relating to the Company's commercial mortgage loan and real estate equity portfolio; most legal work is handled entirely in-house. Specifically: • serve as primary legal counsel to the Company's real estate investment professionals in structuring, negotiating and documenting complex, commercial mortgage loans (floating, fixed, permanent and construction), real estate acquisitions and joint venture and development transactions; and • provide legal support for a wide range of asset management and loan servicing activities for the Company’s real estate investment portfolio including development matters, joint venture amendments, consents to loan transfers, leasing and management agreements, and other asset management and loan servicing needs. What You'll Bring to the Role: • 3-5 years of legal experience in one or more of the following areas: commercial mortgage lending, commercial real estate development, real estate joint ventures, large, commercial real estate acquisitions. • A Juris Doctorate degree and exemplary academic record; note that a license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin or a commitment to become licensed within the first year of employment is required. What Sets You Apart: • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. • Highly analytical and curious mind. • Creative, detail-oriented, with the judgment to navigate ambiguity and the willingness to ask questions and collaborate. • High integrity, ethical standards, and a positive, collaborative attitude. • Self-motivated, proactive, and able to prioritize multiple tasks effectively. • Strong problem-solving skills and practical business judgment, with a focus on client service. • Flexibility and adaptability to meet evolving business needs. Skills You'll Have: • Accountability: Holds self accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results, delivery, and execution. Determines objectives, sets priorities. • Business Influence : Collaborates, communicates and influences stakeholders, and other business functions based on understanding of the marketplace, organizational needs, and the client. • Decision Making: Makes timely, decisions by understanding the probability of success, identifying risks, gathering business requirements, and developing value statements. • Project Management: Delivers projects in alignment to business requirements, specific success criteria, and stakeholder expectations. • Risk Assessment & Identification: Leverages industry knowledge to determine and seek hazards that could potentially prevent the program, enterprise, or investment from achieving their objectives. Why Northwestern Mutual? • Be part of a diverse, inclusive, and nationally recognized Law Department, with 130+ members from across the country and a culture that values every background and perspective. • Work in-house on high-impact projects, with minimal reliance on outside counsel and direct engagement in business strategy. • Competitive compensation, annual bonus eligibility, and opportunities for career growth. • Join a Fortune 500 leader with $378 billion in assets, $38 billion in revenues, and a legacy of helping millions achieve financial security. #LI-Hybrid Compensation Range: Pay Range - Start: $144,000.00 Pay Range - End: $216,000.00 Geographic Specific Pay Structure: Structure 110: $158,400.00 USD - $237,600.00 USD Structure 115: $165,600.00 USD - $248,400.00 USD We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more. Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now! Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

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