Hospitality & Leisure Senior Associate Attorney – Chicago at Talantage, LLC – Chicago, Illinois

Job Title: Hospitality & Leisure Senior Associate Attorney – Chicago

Position Overview
Talantage is seeking an exceptional real estate transactional attorney who combines technical mastery with commercial intuition to join our client's Chambers Band 1, nationally top-ranked, and globally acclaimed Hospitality & Leisure practice.
This is a unique opportunity to work on high-profile hospitality projects in some of the world's most dynamic cities and premier destinations. Our client is widely regarded as "the gold standard in the industry” and "better than every other hotel team in the market.”
From your first day, you will collaborate with an elite team of hospitality lawyers advising owners, investors, developers, operators, and financial institutions on the industry's most sophisticated hotel and mixed-use transactions. With the backing of an integrated, global platform, you will have the resources to manage every facet of a deal—whether it's an iconic urban redevelopment, a luxury resort portfolio, or a cutting-edge mixed-use project.

Key Responsibilities
Your work will span the entire transactional life cycle, including:

• Leading the drafting and negotiation of LOIs, purchase and sale agreements, hotel management agreements, licenses, franchise agreements, joint ventures, and other complex contracts.
• Structuring and closing hospitality financings, including negotiating credit facilities and collateral packages.
• Managing seamless closings by coordinating effectively with clients and transaction stakeholders.
• Directing due diligence reviews to proactively identify and resolve potential risks.
• Mentoring and guiding junior associates, helping to build a pipeline of strong legal talent.

As a trusted deal architect and closer, you will provide best-in-class counsel to sophisticated clients who rely on precision, creativity, and insight. You will work side by side with recognized thought leaders in a culture that values collaboration, mentorship, and innovation.
Qualifications
Personal Attributes

• Excellent academic credentials and proven analytical ability.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities with poise and efficiency.
• Meticulous attention to detail.

Technical Skills

• 5–7 years of legal experience in real estate or transactional matters (hospitality industry experience is a plus).
• Large law firm experience required.

Other Requirements

• Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing with the Illinois State Bar.

Compensation & Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Short- and long-term disability, life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off and holidays
• Discretionary bonuses
• Based on years of experience, associates may hold the title of Associate, Managing Associate, or Senior Managing Associate.

Talantage, LLC is committed to presenting candidates that contribute to an organizations culture of inclusivity and its commitment to diversity in the workplace are demonstrated through our recruitment practices. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, or veteran status. Our equal opportunity employment efforts comply with all applicable U.S. state and federal laws governing non-discrimination in employment.