Senior Paralegal – Real Estate

Salary Range Target: $110,000 – $135,000 Base Salary

Company Background

A top-tier international law firm with a strong presence across the U.S. and Europe, recognized for advising global financial institutions, corporations, and investment funds on high-stakes matters. The firm is deeply committed to excellence, integrity, and inclusion, with a long-standing dedication to pro bono work and social justice. Business services professionals play a vital role in supporting legal teams and driving innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Job Description

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and detail-oriented Senior Real Estate Paralegal to join its Real Estate Department in New York. This position supports attorneys in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, particularly construction loan originations, from due diligence through closing and post-closing phases. The ideal candidate is a proactive, organized team player with deep experience in title and survey review.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiate title insurance commitments and coverage; summarize exceptions and identify risks.
• Review, negotiate, and summarize commercial property surveys.
• Abstract leases, review mortgages and assignments, and analyze other material agreements.
• Order and review customary diligence materials, such as certificates and lien searches.
• Coordinate and track all phases of closings; communicate progress to deal teams.
• Manage execution of closing documents and signature pages.
• Draft, revise, and organize closing materials, including escrow instructions and mortgage assignments.
• Oversee multi-state portfolio transactions and compliance with client-specific requirements.
• Prepare and distribute internal and external closing sets and indices.
• Ensure proper retention, document organization, and custodial deliveries post-closing.
• Maintain transaction records in firm databases and systems; collaborate with Information Services on data-related matters.
• Liaise with clients, title companies, surveyors, zoning consultants, and local counsel to resolve transactional issues.
• Track billing and process third-party invoices in compliance with firm policies.
• Maintain accurate time entries and manage workload proactively.
• Assist in onboarding and mentoring new team members; present training sessions to attorneys and staff.
• Collaborate with other legal assistants firmwide to ensure consistent support and service.
• Handle additional responsibilities and special projects as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of commercial real estate paralegal experience in a law firm setting.
• Expertise in title and survey review and handling complex transactions.
• Must be a licensed Notary Public in New York (or willing to obtain within 6 months).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and work under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and document management systems.
• Strong knowledge of legal support software and internet research tools.