The Real Estate Paralegal will provide comprehensive support to our Corporate Real Estate Attorney and external Litigation Attorneys by assisting with a wide range of tasks, including document preparation and review, legal research, fact-checking, and ensuring the accuracy of all related materials. This role will involve managing case files, tracking case progress, updating status reports, trial preparation, drafting response letters, and coordinating timelines to ensure efficient workflow. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities while ensuring compliance with relevant real estate laws and regulations.

Essential Functions:

• Provide comprehensive assistance in drafting, revising, and reviewing real estate-related contracts and transaction documents, with a particular focus on residential leasing and property management agreements.
• Assist in the preparation and review of various legal documents, including routine pleadings, motions, affidavits, and discovery requests, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
• Support discovery processes by managing document production, reviewing and responding to discovery requests, and ensuring timely compliance with deadlines.
• Draft and issue responses to demand letters, complaints, and pre-litigation correspondence, while actively assisting in the resolution of disputes to avoid litigation when possible.
• Track, monitor, and report the status of external cases and ongoing disputes, ensuring attorneys are updated with relevant developments.
• Conduct in-depth legal research and analysis of statutes, regulations, legal articles, judicial decisions, and other authoritative sources, and provide clear, concise written analysis and recommendations to attorneys.
• Provide effective support to external litigation counsel throughout all stages of litigation, working with minimal supervision while ensuring deadlines are met and case progress is accurately tracked.
• Perform general administrative duties as needed, such as organizing case files, managing communications, and coordinating meetings or documentation.
• Collaborate with other departments to address any legal matters or needs, offering support for company-wide initiatives or projects requiring legal assistance.
• Undertake additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the legal department.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Possess in-depth knowledge of Texas residential real estate law, corporate law, property/homeowner association regulations, and landlord-tenant laws, with a strong emphasis on residential leasing, property management, acquisition, and construction processes.
• Proven experience working within the legal department of a property management company, ideally with a focus on residential properties, including hands-on involvement in legal and operational matters.
• Strong expertise in handling insurance claims, including property casualty and general liability claims, and a solid understanding of the claims process and its legal implications.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Able to convey complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to various stakeholders.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and collaborate effectively with clients, attorneys, and team members.
• Meticulous organizational skills with a keen attention to detail, ensuring that all legal documents and correspondence are accurate and properly maintained.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to assess situations and provide sound legal insights and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. Maintains composure and focus while managing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strict adherence to confidentiality, exercising discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive or proprietary information.
• Proficiency with Google Docs, Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word and Excel), and other legal software, with the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and systems.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and capable of working independently while also being an effective team player in collaborative settings.
• Excellent critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills, enabling the candidate to contribute effectively to strategic legal decision-making.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous law firm experience required.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies or a related field, preferred.
• Previous experience in residential real estate and/or leasing strongly preferred.

Beneficial Skills:

• Proficiency in Japanese (both written and spoken) is highly preferred.
• Experience using Propertyware and/or Salesforce.
• Knowledge of Georgia real estate and landlord-tenant laws.
• Knowledge of insurance coverages and claims processes

All candidates must have authorization to work in the United States. A final written offer of employment from Open House Texas/Atlanta Realty & Investments will be contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check, drug screening and motor vehicle background search.

Open House Texas/Atlanta Realty & Investments provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.