Real Estate Paralegal

Katten•Chicago, IL

3d•$80,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. Real Estate Paralegal Under the general direction of the Paralegal Manager, supervising attorney(s) and according to established Firm policies and procedures, the Paralegal is responsible for providing paralegal support and assistance to attorneys in the coordination, management and supervision of all aspects of real estate transactions. The Paralegal’s primary responsibility is the review and preparation of UCC filings, review/analysis of title commitments, underlying recorded title documents and surveys and review/abstract leases and other real estate encumbrance documents. This position requires some client contact and significant communication with title company underwriters. Maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and Firm matters. The Real Estate Paralegal position can be located in the Chicago, Charlotte, Los Angeles or New York office. Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (KattenFlex).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and five or more years progressive work experience in the real estate transactional area preferably in a law firm environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Legal research knowledge and ability to use law library are required.
Computer proficient with experience and working knowledge of real estate-related databases, internet research, due diligence, Excel, Outlook, and Word preferred.
Applicable knowledge and experience in title and survey review/analysis, UCC searches and preparation, and lease abstracting.
Excellent organizational skills including record keeping, data collection, and system information.
Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish concise, detailed information in report format, written correspondence, e mail, or verbally.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information and training, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, staff, and outside contacts.
Exhibit high degree of initiative with excellent analytical, technical, and critical-thinking skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic in order to analyze and research real estate transactional data, process information, conduct legal research, and perform essential duties.
Dependable team player with the ability to act independently and make decisions within scope of the position’s responsibilities.
Proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution, and follow-through skills.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and oversee numerous tasks from inception to completion, and ensure work is completed within strict deadlines.
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment, and adapt to changes in workflow.
Possess excellent knowledge of reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and formatting in order to interpret source data, prepare real estate transactional documents and forms, proofread material for grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, and perform file maintenance.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations and apply mathematical concepts when computing, reconciling balances, and verifying numerical data on forms and documents.
Ability to operate standard office equipment including computer, laser printer, telephone, photocopier, calculator, scanner, facsimile, etc.
Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation and copies, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.
Candidates must be comfortable with a flexible schedule including occasional after-hours email monitoring and responsiveness during peak periods or urgent matters.
Ability and availability to travel to other Firm locations when required.

Nice To Haves

Paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program a plus.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and assist with documentation for closing and post-closing requirements.
Perform UCC searches.
Prepare and review UCC’s.
Prepare financing statements, releases and transfer documents.
Review/analyze real estate surveys and title commitments, policies and underlying title documents.
Perform lease abstracting.
Maintain up-to-date time reports to ensure accurate client billing.
On a case-by-case basis, may supervise the work performed by Project Assistant and/or Paralegal I and II staff.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Firm’s policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include interviewing, training, and providing input into the performance appraisal process.