Senior Paralegal Specialist

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP•Dallas, TX

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Senior Paralegal Specialist to support the Investment Funds practice, reporting to practice management and assigned attorneys. The role will reside in the Dallas office with hybrid work capabilities and will be assigned to work primarily on specific clients/transactions, provide general assistance to a project team of attorneys, and/or to support attorneys whose practice involves specific areas of law. Senior Paralegal Specialists may also monitor regulations, legal developments, and compliance procedures in their area of expertise. In addition, Senior Paralegal Specialists may be asked to provide general supervision of Project Assistants and other clerical staff and assist in the training of paralegals. Senior Paralegal Specialists are expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s clients, attorneys, advisors, and staff, while maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
8+ years of paralegal experience required, with an emphasis on investment funds experience within a law firm setting.
Demonstrate expertise in business structures, ownership and taxation issues.
Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to organize self and others.
Thorough knowledge of MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Familiarity with Adobe professional and Adobe Acrobat.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate potentially detailed and complex information to others.
Demonstrate ability to quickly learn and adapt to new AI platforms and emerging technologies such as CoPilot, Harvey AI and ndMAX.
Aptitude and willingness to work with complex procedures.
Demonstrated strong attention to detail.
Ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adjust to changing priorities in a professional manner.
Ability to work independently and with a team.
Willingness and ability to assume new tasks and responsibilities.
Strong analytical skills.
Strong service orientation, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users, peers, office and firm management, and outside business partner.
Ability to work well under pressure, facilitate solutions, and meet deadlines and milestones for projects assigned.
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of client and office information and adhering to the Firm’s Core Values.
Commitment to professional growth and development.

Nice To Haves

Legal Assistant/Paralegal certification desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain corporate structure documentation for key clients by monitoring and tracking acquisitions and other organizational and structure changes.
Coordinate and manage Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR Next), Form ADV, Blue Sky, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and IRS filings (including but not limited to SS-4’s, 8832’s, etc.), ensuring regulatory compliance through accurate filing preparation, submission, credential management, and ongoing maintenance; strong knowledge of securities regulations, regulatory reporting requirements, attention to detail, project management, deadline management, and proficiency with electronic filing platforms.
Coordinate and manage Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings for private fund advisers and investment funds, including preparation, review, submission, and ongoing maintenance of regulatory filings and related disclosures; ensure compliance with federal securities laws and reporting requirements through effective project management, stakeholder coordination, deadline management, and attention to detail.
Manage all aspects of fund secondary transactions, including investor transfers, assignments, admissions, KYC documentation, consent processes, and closing coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
Assist with the organization of client materials and attorney work product including computer-based technology, especially in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and AI platforms.
Maintenance of forms and databases relating to partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies and other corporate forms, and research with respect to state filing requirements.
Assist with on-going administrative client matters including preparation of routine or special board resolutions (officer appointment resolutions, transaction specific resolutions, etc.) and amendments to formation certificates and entity operating agreements.
Form and qualify entities to do business in various states and other jurisdictions including coordinating with foreign counsel (e.g., Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands, Anguilla, Luxembourg, etc.) to form entities and prepare formation agreements.
Under the supervision of an attorney, draft, edit, conform and otherwise assist in the preparation of legal documents including drafting simple initial formation agreements (such as certificates of formation/incorporation/limited partnership; limited partnership and limited liability agreements, etc.).
Oversee preparation of binders and closing sets of completed transactions including preparation of distribution to client and/or investors including signature page assembly.
Maintain files and other case or project records; circulate materials to project team, as needed; and maintain chronological records of project activity.
Obtain services from outside contractors, including filing and registered service providers and foreign counsel.
Act as liaison for the project team with support departments and other offices of the firm, anticipating and assuming responsibility for special staffing needs, such as overtime, clerical and/or notary assistance.
Perform Apostille procedures regarding obtaining and certifying various legal documents.
As requested by the administrative practice management, and/or assigned attorneys, coordinate work of other paralegals and/or project assistants or clerical team members.
Other duties as assigned.