My first deal I hired a friend that was also a commercial broker and of course I hired a lawyer.  

I've done some initial research and with the help of a lawyer, did some diligence and put my name on the deed.

But as I understand it, and I’m not a lawyer, unless the business is going to hold the property you don’t need the LLC.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a great real estate lawyer?

Have lawyer draw up everything y'all have agreed upon.

You will already have been introduced to his or her team of lenders, lawyers and inspectors. 

Finally got one email back telling me to call his lawyer if he had any questions.

I myself wanted to go this route when I first started out, and I still plan on taking the exam to become licensed, however, I feel as though I can get better hands on experience by building my team (RE agents, bankers, mortgage brokers, accountants, lawyers, ect.) and physically visiting properties and crunching numbers.

If this is what you and your partner pursue, LLC would be a way to go (although you might want to hold off on that until you are ready to finance so that the lawyer you will hire to represent you included those costs in the legal costs associated with the loan, saving you some money in the process).

This is how sloppy my lawyer was.