Corporate Paralegal

POET; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K with company match

Paid time off and holidays – 40 hours

Parental leave

Profit-sharing bonuses

Wellness program

Job summary

POET is seeking a Corporate Paralegal to support the Legal and business teams on corporate transactional matters, including M&A, debt and equity financing, and maintaining POET’s corporate records.

This on-site role in Sioux Falls, SD requires five or more years of paralegal experience, strong drafting and due diligence skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally with attorneys and business colleagues.

Qualifications

• 5+ years corporate paralegal experience in a law firm or in-house setting with exposure to corporate law, real estate, and transactions.
• Experience maintaining corporate records such as minutes, consents, articles of organization, bylaws.
• Ability to work with attorneys and business teams to support contracts, closings, and governance.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with corporate, transactional and real estate matters by preparing, reviewing and organizing legal documents.
• Coordinate entity formation, governance, dissolution activities and maintain records for POET and affiliates.
• Support transactions with due diligence, record gathering, checklists and closing-related tasks.
• Contribute to real estate matters through document review and closing materials.
• Develop first-pass legal materials under attorney guidance, including draft agreements and revisions.
• Assist in responding to subpoenas, discovery, litigation and employment matters.
• Provide input on policies, risk management and process improvements.

Skills

Corporate governance

Drafting & reviewing

Due diligence

Communications

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Legal research

Multitasking under deadlines

Education

BA/BS + paralegal certificate

Tools

Document management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

ABOUT POET At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty-five years, our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products in the world.

JOB SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Corporate Paralegal provides primary support to POET Legal and business team members by assisting with a variety of corporate transactional matters—including M&A transactions involving privately held and sometimes publicly held companies, and debt and equity financing, in addition to maintaining the corporate records of POET, its subsidiaries and affiliates. This role also includes review of transfers of ownership among investors. In addition, the Corporate Paralegal assists with litigation and employment matters as needed. The Corporate Paralegal is a highly valued and key member of our legal team. This is an on-site role located in Sioux Falls, SD.

• Assist attorneys with corporate, transactional and real estate matters by preparing, reviewing and organizing legal documents.
• Coordinate business entity formation, maintenance, governance and dissolution activities, including preparing organizational documents, corporate minutes, resolutions, consents and related records; maintain corporate records, entity databases and governance materials to ensure accuracy and compliance across all POET entities.
• Support commercial transactions by coordinating due diligence, gathering and organizing records, tracking deliverables, maintaining transaction checklists and deal files, and assisting with closing and post-closing activities.
• Contribute to real estate matters through title and document review, transaction coordination, and preparation and assembly of closing-related materials.
• Partner with internal business teams and POET legal team members to support contracts and other commercial legal matters and facilitate timely resolution of legal and business needs, including creating first-pass legal materials under attorney guidance, such as draft agreements and redlined revisions.
• Assemble schedules and ancillary documents for credit agreements with careful attention to detail.
• Work at the attorney’s direction to respond to subpoenas, discovery, litigation, and employment matters.
• Provide leadership on cross-functional teams, identify legal issues, provide legal options and analysis of possible legal solutions, and give recommendations for addressing issues to achieve business and legal objectives.
• Assist in the development and review of company policies and procedures based on legal requirements and sound risk-management practices.
• Act as a positive agent for change by providing ideas, solutions and feedback to continually improve business practices and results.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills may be put to a lot of other uses!

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

A minimum of 5+ years of corporate paralegal experience in a law firm or in-house setting with significant exposure to corporate law, real estate matters and transactions. Bachelor’s degree from a reputable college or university with a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program. (POET will consider equivalent experience). Experience preparing, reviewing, summarizing and maintaining corporate records, such as minutes, unanimous written consents, articles of organization, bylaws and other documents. Demonstrated knowledge of entity maintenance, corporate governance and commercial legal documentation. Experience supporting transactions, including due diligence, closings and post-closing follow-up activities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively across legal and business teams. Patient, active listening and strategic thinking skills to assess risk and provide commercially viable options in a positive and solution-oriented fashion. Results-oriented, while passionate to serve others and add value with integrity. High level of attention to detail, sound judgment and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

• A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE A high level of personal integrity
• Interpersonal skills – the ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within and outside the organization
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Strong professionalism and judgment
• Ability to embrace and promote change
• An innovative mindset
• Ability to think objectively
• Proven organizational skills and a reputation for being reliable
• Self-awareness in the face of uncertainty
• The ability to work in a team environment and willingness to jump in wherever needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in an office environment, working at a personal computer where you may sit or stand. Most of our Sioux Falls office workspace consists of an open-concept design intended to promote open communication and collaboration.

CULTURE IS KING AT POET

We’re all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren’t just slogans on our walls. It’s the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

At POET, we encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member’s position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset.

BENEFITS

BENEFITS For eligible team members

• Comprehensive benefits package: Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution
• Quarterly Profit-Sharing Bonuses and Bi-Annual Incentive Bonuses
• Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions
• 401K with company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays – 40 hours available on day ONE!
• Paid Parental Leave

OTHER PERKS

OTHER PERKS For eligible team members

• A multifaceted wellness program encompassing the whole person – mentally, physically, and spiritually
• Onsite fitness centers or fitness reimbursements
• Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements
• Discounted home and auto insurance

POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, abilities, merit, and other legitimate business factors, without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, working conditions, promotion, and termination. Over the past 30 years of bioprocessing leadership, we've assembled the industry's strongest team of engineers, scientists, financial analysts and more. Along the way, we've carefully selected team members who share our core values and pride in everything we do. That's common sense—and it's led to some of the most creative bioprocessing work in the world. The people of POET make working here a challenging, exhilarating place to advance a career. They accomplish great things for millions of Americans and find great satisfaction in helping our country in so many ways.