Paralegal I or II

COLORADO HOUSING AND FINANCE AUTHORITY • Denver, CO

3d • $71,000 - $102,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Paralegal I or II position will assist in-house attorneys with a wide range of real estate transactions and corporate projects. This includes commercial loan workouts, commercial closings, collateral dispositions, compliance monitoring, dispute resolution, grant fundings, corporate governance, and program development and implementation. The role also involves support with contract administration, drafting, and reviews. This position will collaborate directly with a team of attorneys, paralegals, a legal analyst, and business units’ staff and will report to the Director of Legal Operations.

Requirements

• Experience with Colorado real estate law, commercial and residential real estate and business loans, commercial and residential real estate transactions, business entities, and familiarity with related documents.
• Understanding of contract law principles and the ability to identify material provisions, obligations, and risks in transactional documents.
• Effectively and independently identifies red flags, issues and other areas for further investigation as well as remedies and resolutions.
• Strong analytical, independent legal research and writing skills with attention to detail and the ability to synthesize complex materials.
• Ability and interest in working on a wide range of projects
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to take ownership of projects assigned ensuring they are timely completed including proactively gathering information or input from others as needed.
• Strong customer service skills
• Effective leadership skills
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and collaborate effectively as part of a team or working group.
• Innovative and creative thinking skills to develop customer-centric solutions based on internal and external feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and accurately in a demanding environment with multiple projects and important deadlines.
• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, in an effective and diplomatic manner
• Ability to establish rapport with persons of diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds is essential.
• Maintain an elevated level of confidentiality using discretion in handling sensitive matters, maintaining confidence at all levels.
• Proficient in MS Office suite
• Strong ethical decision-making skills based on a code of ethics and integrity, demonstrating responsibility for actions while learning from mistakes.
• Ability to continuously improve and develop knowledge and skills while adapting quickly to changing circumstances and processes.
• Ability to work towards inclusion in all activities and decisions by soliciting and appreciating diverse perspectives.
• Ability to exercise personal accountability in all activities and decisions.
• Ability to embrace a culture of operational excellence to ensure processes are evaluated continuously and improved upon as necessary.
• Ability to operate with a sense of integrity.
• Ability to have fun with a demonstrated sense of humor.
• Minimum of three years of experience working on complex corporate and/or real estate matters as a paralegal in a law firm, corporate law department, government legal office, or government-sponsored enterprise.

Nice To Haves

• Certification as a paralegal or legal assistant from a program approved by the American Bar Association or a bachelor’s or other degree in paralegal studies or other legal studies is desirable.
• Experience with and knowledge of the following is helpful but not required: Real estate finance and compliance monitoring for affordable multifamily housing developments and affordable housing legal documentation, federal insurance programs such as FHA multifamily, HUD, USDA, SBA, tax-exempt bonds, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and/or New Markets Tax Credit.
• Familiarity with Proposition 123 – Colorado Affordable Housing Financing Fund and its Land Banking, Equity and Concessionary Debt programs.
• Legal research experience and knowledge of or ability to learn Decisis and/or other research tools.
• Licensed as a Notary Public in Colorado or qualified and willing to become a notary within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and assist in negotiating program guidelines and forms, policies, contracts and agreements, and other legal documents relating to Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) programs and services including customized agreements and documents.
• Assist attorneys and CHFA business units in the design, implementation, and operation of new affordable housing and small business lending programs.
• Review and summarize complex project, organizational and program files, highlighting any issues or red flags.
• Review, analyze, and support the preparation and coordination of real estate transactions including documentation, due diligence, adherence to acquisition and sale timelines, and coordination with appropriate CHFA staff and third parties.
• Perform legal research including more complex issues with minimal supervision and draft detailed, clear and concise summaries of findings.
• Support attorneys with detailed reviews, analysis and evaluation of HOA litigation matters, commercial litigation, other dispute resolution, regulatory inquiries, compliance monitoring findings, commercial workouts, commercial closings and Colorado Open Records Act Requests.
• Support Legal Operations with managing and maintaining the department’s files, document management systems, and tracking legal matters and requests.
• Lead communications, as delegated, with CHFA business units and/or third parties, including through email correspondence, letters, and participation in meetings.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior legal support staff.
• Other duties and projects, as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, with competitive rates
• Generous Paid Time Off, including paid volunteer time, and leave programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree