Any real estate property finance lawyers about?

[Timetravels]

I'm a commercial property lawyer returning to work after 5 years away. I've got an interview in a few weeks for a real estate finance role. I've never worked in a banking/ finance team and was wondering if anyone could let me know what kind of work it would involve on the property side and the likely office hours? I'm nervous enough going back and worried about not knowing enough about real estate finance. I will be provided with training. Any advice?

[Babbas]

Bumping for you.

I don't know exactly but I'm thinking it would be long hours if part of the banking team?

[Timetravels]

Anyone?

[DragonMamma]

I'm not a lawyer but work in HR for a regional law firm and have recruited for this role several times.

Our banking/real estate finance team rarely do massively long hours - occasionally if there's a big deal that needs to be pushed through but they enjoy a pretty good work/life balance overall.
They largely advise on the security, loan documentation, finance restructuring etc.
The banks that we work for want to lend the money so if a ransom strip would potentially stop a deal, then they want them to find a way around it and they have to be the Yes people as much as they can.

[Timetravels]

Thank you dragon. That is useful to know. I've lost some confidence wolsey being away from law but hoping I can ease my way in somehow. Very very nervous about my first interview in years. I'm happy to hear the hours aren't dreadful.

[DragonMamma]

You'll be fine, I'm sure.

We've taken on people with a commercial property background to do this role and it's worked really well so don't stress too much - just be solution driven in your answers and think how could you work around a problem so they can lend their money out!

[TheClacksAreDown]

It will depend a lot on the sort of firm you are in. Large city firms have very high expectations on billable hours. Smaller firms may be more flexible. In a banking team you'll generally be on transactions so there may be peaks and troughs and the deal needs to close tomorrow then it has to close tomorrow. So you would need to think about how you'd manage with childcare etc during the peaks.

I wouldn't worry too much on the technical side of things. You'll have a good grasp of land law from your prior role and once you've got to grips with banking documents and the key principles you should be able to motor. A lot of it is then transaction management and churn.

[Timetravels]

The aspect I'm dreading the most is time posting and the dreaded billable hours! I was in house for a few years before I left law (awful period of bullying which knocked my confidence) so they're was no time posting. Plus I cannot for the life of me remember the intricacies of comm prop law despite practising for years. I'm hoping it'll click back in once I've been a refresher course (must check there is training when at the interview).

And finally, I need to dig out my old suits. Haven't worn smart clothes in years......

[Timetravels]

Smart as in proper suits... I'm not a tramp I promise you!

[LovingLola]

Lol...