Job Description

Senior Paralegal – Real Estate

Chicago, IL | Hybrid | Full-Time

Summary:

The Senior Paralegal – Real Estate is an experienced legal professional responsible for supporting attorneys on sophisticated commercial real estate transactions and related matters. This individual will play a key role throughout the transaction lifecycle, handling due diligence, title and survey review, closing coordination, commercial lease work, tax-related matters, and matter management. The role is ideal for a seasoned real estate paralegal who can independently manage substantive assignments, anticipate attorney needs, and effectively coordinate with clients, counsel, lenders, government agencies, and outside vendors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist attorneys with due diligence for commercial real estate transactions
• Order, review, and analyze title commitments, recorded documents, and surveys
• Develop, maintain, and update closing checklists and track transaction requirements through completion
• Prepare transaction documents and coordinate the execution and delivery of closing documentation
• Coordinate with attorneys, clients, opposing/outside counsel, lenders, governmental agencies, and vendors
• Review and abstract commercial leases and prepare drafts of leases and lease amendments
• Assist with tax-related applications and work directly with clients to obtain required documentation
• Prepare petitions related to tax consolidations and/or divisions
• Draft legal documents, correspondence, summaries, and other materials for attorney review
• Compile, analyze, and summarize information related to transactions and other real estate matters
• Manage data rooms, matter files, tracking systems, and transaction documentation
• Handle substantive projects with limited supervision while proactively anticipating attorney needs
• Support attorneys in the Chicago office as well as attorneys across other firm offices
• Mentor case assistants and junior paralegals

Desired Skills:

• Strong background in commercial real estate law and transactions
• Extensive experience reviewing and analyzing title commitments, surveys, and recorded documents
• Significant commercial leasing experience, including lease abstraction and drafting leases and amendments
• Experience supporting real estate closings, including checklists, documentation, execution, and delivery
• Ability to conduct fact gathering, analyze information, and identify issues requiring attorney attention
• Advanced knowledge of real estate practice-area rules, procedures, and legal requirements
• Ability to independently manage multiple sophisticated matters in a fast-paced law firm environment
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to interact professionally with attorneys, clients, outside counsel, lenders, vendors, and other external parties
• Strong technical proficiency, particularly with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Experience establishing and maintaining matter tracking and organizational systems
• Strong independent judgment with the ability to anticipate attorney and client needs
• Leadership and mentoring skills for supporting junior paralegals and case assistants

Education & Experience:

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor's degree and/or Paralegal Certificate
• Paralegal Certificate preferred

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of paralegal experience specifically in Real Estate law
• Must have substantive experience handling real estate matters with limited supervision
• Extensive commercial lease experience is required, including the ability to review, abstract, and prepare drafts of leases and lease amendments
• Experience with real estate due diligence, title and survey review, closings, and transaction documentation strongly aligned with the role

Compensation & Schedule:

Pay range: $53.64 – $71.08/hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and geographic market

• Full-time position
• Hybrid schedule
• Position is based in the Chicago office
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• Overtime paid in accordance with applicable laws for non-exempt positions
• No immigration sponsorship available
• Relocation assistance is generally not available unless relocation is required by the firm

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