Real Estate Paralegal

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth.

Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

Under the general direction of the Paralegal Manager, supervising attorney(s) and according to established Firm policies and procedures, the Paralegal is responsible for providing paralegal support and assistance to attorneys in the coordination, management and supervision of all aspects of real estate transactions. The Paralegal’s primary responsibility is the review and preparation of UCC filings, review/analysis of title commitments, underlying recorded title documents and surveys and review/abstract leases and other real estate encumbrance documents.

This position requires some client contact and significant communication with title company underwriters. Maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and Firm matters.

Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (Katten Flex).

include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Coordinate and assist with documentation for closing and post-closing requirements.
• Perform UCC searches.
• Prepare and review UCC’s.
• Prepare financing statements, releases and transfer documents.
• Review/analyze real estate surveys and title commitments, policies and underlying title documents.
• Perform lease abstracting.
• Maintain up-to-date time reports to ensure accurate client billing.

• On a case-by-case basis, may supervise the work performed by Project Assistant and/or Paralegal I and II staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Firm’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, training, and providing input into the performance appraisal process.

• Bachelor’s degree and five or more years progressive work experience in the real estate transactional area preferably in a law firm environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Legal research knowledge and ability to use law library are required. Paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program a plus.
• Computer proficient with experience and working knowledge of real estate-related databases, internet research, due diligence, Excel, Outlook, and Word preferred. Applicable knowledge and experience in title and survey review/analysis, UCC searches and preparation, and lease abstracting.
• Excellent organizational skills including record keeping, data collection, and system information. Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish concise, detailed information in report format, written correspondence, e mail, or verbally.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information and training, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, staff, and outside contacts.
• Exhibit high degree of initiative with excellent analytical, technical, and critical-thinking skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic in order to analyze and research real estate…