Avata Partners is recruiting for a real estate paralegal for our reputable and renowned law firm. This position works under the direct supervision of a lawyer and provides the lawyer substantive legal services. A lawyer may delegate any task normally performed by a lawyer to a Senior Paralegal Specialist, except those tasks prohibited to a non-lawyer by statute, court rule, administrative rule or regulation, controlling authority, the applicable rule of professional conduct of the jurisdiction in which the lawyer practices, or the ABA Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drafts, analyzes, and prepares legal documents for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal
• Coordinates legal projects and communicates legal information for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal
• Prepare draft communications for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal
• Collects, evaluates and summarizes relevant facts and legal concepts for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal
• Attends client meetings, coordination meetings, and legal proceedings with a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal
• Provides legal project management for a legal matter for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal
• Supervises Project Assistants, Paralegals, Senior Paralegals, and Paralegal Specialists on assigned tasks
• Maintains notary license in local jurisdiction
• Follows all supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal instructions

REAL ESTATE focus:

• Provide paralegal support to lawyers on real estate transactions, as well as similar complex corporate matters
• Prepare and revise Real Estate closing documents and exhibits
• Review due diligence documentation
• Prepare title and survey comments and coordinate with title company and surveyor
• Order and review searches (pending suits, judgments, tax liens and UCCs)
• Prepare Closing Instruction Letters
• Attend and coordinate document signing at Closing
• Research and prepare documents required for the formation, management, maintenance and dissolution of Corporations, LLCs and LPs and filing of such documentation, as required with various Departments of State
• Obtain good standings from foreign countries for qualification with US states
• Provide transactional support including initial draft documents, resolutions, checklists, research, proofing, editing, and document organization

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains accurate and appropriate time records regarding hours spent working for clients, working for the Firm, and working on administrative tasks
• Meets all time entry and timesheet deadlines specified by the Firm, the Paralegal Department, and the Accounting Department
• Bills a minimum of 1,536 creditable hours each performance evaluation year that begins April 1 and ends March 31 of which a minimum of 1,416 of those hours are client billable hours
• Limits approved pro bono hours and approved firm representation hours to a maximum of 120 total hours during each performance evaluation year
• Works a predictable schedule and also provides flexibility in daily schedule to meet Firm’s needs during periods of heavy workload
• Timely notifies both supervising lawyers, supervising paralegals, and the Paralegal Manager of any time out of the office during normal work hours
• Reports the receipt of non-billable work to the Paralegal Manager upon receipt
• Avoids overtime for non-billable assignments
• Contacts supervising lawyers, supervising paralegals and Paralegal Manager when available for new assignments
• Accepts accountability and responsibility for all work assignments
• Adheres to The National Federation of Paralegal Association’s “Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility”
• Attends relevant legal education to continuously improve legal skills

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Understanding of legal processes and practice-group specific procedures
• Excellent interpersonal, team, and customer service skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to function well in a high-paced, and at times, stressful environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and to exercise discretion and good judgment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and practice-group specific software

Education & Experience:

• California Education/Experience Requirement:
• Paralegal Specialist
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA approved program required
• Experience: 13+ years relevant experience required
• Senior Paralegal Specialist
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA approved program required
• Experience: 18+ years relevant experience required

Pay is up to $150K DOE.