Summer Job Diaries: Aspiring Transactional Attorney Experiences Associate Life in Buchalter's Real Estate Practice Group
Grace Shin '22 is a rising 3L who is spending the summer at Buchalter's Los Angeles office applying lessons she's learned through Professor Trevino's corporate concentration to the firm's real estate practice.
How did you land your summer job?
I received an email from Professor Treviño about this job opportunity since I am enrolled in the corporate concentration at school. I went ahead and submitted my resume which was sent over to Buchalter and fortunately landed an interview!
What is the most interesting part of your job?
The most interesting part of my job is being exposed to the different types of transactions that happen in real estate law. I have been able to draft some documents for the deals that we work on, sit in on conference calls, and do a bit of transactional research. I really enjoy the work that I do and am very lucky to experience what associate life would entail.
What has been your most challenging assignment thus far?
My most challenging assignment so far is probably the one I am working on now, which is an amended and restated operating agreement for a real estate transaction with a very complex structure. There are a lot of changes and new information that need to be added to the existing agreement, so I am definitely paying close attention to detail!
What new legal skill have you acquired during your summer job?
I have learned to draft different documents for the types of deals we work on. I have also learned about the different structures and complexities a deal can have and for what purpose each document serves in a real estate transaction. Further, I have learned about the importance of thorough analysis of the language of each document and how this documentation needs to be edited and conformed appropriately for each deal.
What bit of legal knowledge have you been able to display?
When reviewing various deal documentation, I have been able to recognize some of the language I learned during 1L Property Law. I have also been able to use some of the legal research skills that I acquired throughout my years at school. During my 3L year, I plan on taking more real estate focused classes.
How has Loyola helped you map your career path?
LLS has connected me with professors and alumni that have brought me many career opportunities and helped map out my career path. At Buchalter, I work with and am mentored by a great team of LLS alumni including Michael Williamson, Scott Salomon, Aaron Elster and Kenny Tamura. The LLS connections definitely run deep at Buchalter and I am very grateful to be at a firm with so many amazing attorneys!