Senior Paralegal

SOUDER LAW GROUP LLP • Newark, NJ

20d • $80,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Paralegal is integral to the Real Estate Group, providing advanced support on complex transactions and projects. The role carries a high level of responsibility and requires the ability to work independently under tight deadlines, communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and outside parties, and lead the paralegal and support team by example. This role also supports the firm's litigation practice when transactional matters become disputes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, or a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience as a real estate paralegal in a law firm, with 7 to 10 years preferred, handling complex commercial and multi-state transactions.
• Essential experience in title, survey, and zoning review.
• Ability to meet a minimum of 1,800 billable hours per year.
• Attention to detail. Manages multiple transactions simultaneously with accurate documentation.
• Problem solving. Identifies and resolves transaction and title discrepancies efficiently.
• Time management. Manages tight deadlines, meets billable minimums, and prioritizes effectively.
• Communication. Interacts professionally with clients, attorneys, and municipal agencies.
• Dependability. Punctual, available, and accessible in person, by phone, and by email when matters demand extended hours.

Nice To Haves

• New Jersey land-use, redevelopment, and PILOT experience.
• Experience supervising or training paralegals.
• Advanced Clio Manage proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Prepare land-use applications, including zoning board submissions, site plan approvals, and variance requests. Research land-use regulations and zoning ordinances, prepare public hearing documentation, and coordinate meetings with municipal authorities.
• Support PILOT, tax-abatement, and financial-incentive applications from start to finish. Research local and state tax laws and ordinances for attorney review, and prepare and file required documentation.
• Support lease negotiations, purchase agreements, and financing documentation. Conduct title, lien, and municipal searches and coordinate property inspections.
• Manage all phases of transactions, including coordinating closings, reviewing title commitments and underlying documents, resolving title issues, and finalizing title policies.
• Draft, for attorney review, purchase agreements, leases, deeds, mortgages and other security instruments, easements, escrow and closing instructions, owner affidavits, and closing certificates. Review surveys, title commitments, and exception documents for accuracy and consistency.
• Analyze zoning ordinances, statutes, and land-use regulations to support attorney advice on compliance and development potential, and prepare variance, special-use, and rezoning applications.
• Work with clients, title companies, surveyors, engineers, and regulatory agencies, and assemble site plans, environmental assessments, and other submission materials.
• Maintain transaction checklists, organize files, track key milestones, and confirm that all documents are properly recorded and filed.
• Guide Paralegals and support staff, share best practices, coordinate ongoing projects, and uphold quality standards.
• Apply advanced skill with Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat, DocuSign, Clio Manage and Clio Grow, SharePoint, and real estate software across electronic and physical filing systems.
• When real estate matters move into litigation, including title, lease, foreclosure, and prerogative writ disputes, support the litigation team with record assembly, transaction histories, and document organization.
• Organize document productions and prepare hearing and trial exhibits drawn from transaction and land-use files.
• Serve as backup litigation paralegal when assigned by the Managing Partner or the Head of Litigation.

Benefits

• 401(k) with employer contribution.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Professional development and continuing education budget.
• Direct mentorship from the Managing Partner and leadership of high-profile redevelopment work.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Bonus based on performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior