Paralegal - Real Estate

Job Overview

The Real Estate Paralegal provides comprehensive legal support to the Legal Department with a strong focus on real estate transactions, title and survey matters, and drafting and reviewing of documents. The ideal candidate brings hands-on real estate legal experience, the practical judgment to find answers whether in title commitments, zoning ordinances, county recorder databases and other sources, and the ability to anticipate needs in a fast-paced legal team

Key Responsibilities

• Review title commitments, title insurance policies, ALTA surveys, and exception documents for commercial real estate transactions.
• Conduct title and survey due diligence, identifying defects, encumbrances, easements, and other issues requiring resolution.
• Order and track title searches, UCC searches, municipal lien searches, and other due diligence materials.
• General real estate research.
• Research zoning ordinances, land use regulations, special use permits, and municipal codes applicable to specific properties.
• Assist with purchase and sale agreements, leases, easements, deeds, and related real estate documents.
• Work with outside professionals such as title agents, title examiners, surveyors, engineers, etc., in connection with due diligence, closings and development of properties.
• Work with sellers and purchasers, as needed, to effect real estate closings
• Support pre- and post-closing activities, including closing checklists, document execution, post-closing recordation, and closing binders.
• Draft, revise, and manage legal documents including contracts, corporate resolutions, and entity formation filing.
• Create and customize legal forms and templates; recognize when standard forms require modification and execute changes independently.
• Research beyond traditional legal databases -- locating zoning designations, deed restrictions, utility easements, ordinances, and governmental records
• Track and summarize legislation and regulatory developments affecting the company's real estate portfolio and operation.
• Support real estate litigation, mediation, arbitration, licensing renewals, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain records relating to real estate portfolio.
• Respond to requests for information.
• Other duties as assigned.

This role requires professionalism, respect, strong communication, and the ability to work well with others in a team-oriented, inclusive environment.

Required Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree, paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, or equivalent legal experience.
• Minimum 5 years of paralegal experience with significant focus on commercial real estate.
• Hands-on experience reviewing title commitments, title insurance policies, ALTA surveys, and due diligence materials.
• Working knowledge of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing.
• Strong ability to locate and interpret zoning ordinances, easements, governmental records, and public land use documents.
• Proven ability to draft, edit, and customize legal documents and forms with minimal supervision.
• Excellent research skills -- both legal and practical -- with the ability to find answers in non-obvious places.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and legal document management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in real estate for an energy, infrastructure, or development company.
• Familiarity with land use entitlements, permitting, and environmental due diligence.
• Experience working with state and county recording offices, title companies, surveyors, engineers, and sellers and purchasers.
• Background supporting a transactional legal team in a high-volume environment.