Legal Assistant – Real Estate and Development Unit

Philadelphia PA; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free public transportation (SEPTA)

Comprehensive health coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

The City of Philadelphia Law Department, Real Estate & Development Unit, is seeking a Legal Assistant to support transactional matters, manage electronic and paper files, and aid attorneys in executing agreements. Candidates should be organized, detail-focused, and able to work onsite with confidentiality and professionalism.

Minimum Education: High School/GED; preferred Associate’s degree or paralegal certificate.

Qualifications

• High School/GED required with a preference for paralegal credentials or equivalent.
• Preferred: Associate’s degree or paralegal certificate.
• Experience in a legal setting is a plus; strong organizational skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Organize and file correspondence for significant transactions.
• Send information requests to City agencies and track deadlines.
• Perform title research and retrieve title documents; work with title reports.
• Review and summarize land surveys and related documents.
• Prepare letters and other correspondence for unit attorneys.
• Provide back-up support for hiring and recruiting efforts.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Discretion and confidentiality

Education

High School/GED

Associate’s degree

Paralegal certificate

Tools

MS Office

Google Drive

SharePoint/OneDrive

PowerPoint

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Legal Assistant – Real Estate and Development Unit

• Full-time
• Minimum Education Required: High School/GED
• Compensation: USD 45,478 - USD 62,371 - yearly

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact- The work you do here matters to millions.
• Growth- Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Diversity & Inclusion- Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits- We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government. We provide legal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions concerning any matters related to the exercise of their official powers.

The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. We employ more than 290 attorneys and 130 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce the City's legal liability, and address threats to the quality of life impacting the taxpayers of Philadelphia.

We are an ever-evolving Department where all are empowered to reach their full potential, to collaborate with clients as true partners, and to see their work have a tangible impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents we serve, and we promote an environment of camaraderie, accountability, and inclusiveness.

The Corporate and Tax Group includes the Commercial Law Unit, Tax & Revenue Unit, Property Assessment Unit, Regulatory Law Unit, and Real Estate & Development Unit. The Real Estate and Development Unit of the Law Department represents the City in major economic development initiatives and real estate transactions. The attorneys in this unit serve as corporate, real estate, and transactional counsel to all City Departments and are called upon to help structure, negotiate, and document any transfer or acquisition of City property interests or licensing of City property.

Professional Responsibility & Public Service

We serve the residents of Philadelphia by providing excellent legal counsel as trustworthy partners to our clients, no matter the challenges we face. Our work frequently involves sensitive matters, confidential information, and communication with City officials and client agencies. All staff are expected to work collectively to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and a strong commitment to public service.

Position Summary

The Real Estate & Development Unit is currently seeking to fill a Legal Assistant position. This position is for individuals interested in real estate and contract law. The Legal Assistant will support attorneys working on transactional matters by overseeing electronic and paper file management, facilitating the process of executing agreements, drafting correspondence and form agreements, and aiding the overall workflow and productivity of the unit.

Essential Functions

The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.

Collaborating on several projects which often include working with attorneys and staff

Organize and file correspondence, documents, and other papers for significant transactions as requested by the Division’s attorneys.

Sending requests for information to relevant City agencies and following up to meet deadlines

Perform title research to determine ownership of properties. Locate and retrieve title documents.

Work closely with title companies to obtain title reports, clear title, and obtain title insurance policies. Review and summarize title reports.

Review and summarize land surveys.

Preparing letters and other correspondence for unit attorneys

Maintaining organization/filing system

Compiling quarterly/weekly/daily reports as needed

Tracking assignments

Answering telephones and assisting callers with general inquiries for the Law Department

Logging mail

Providing back-up support for hiring and recruiting efforts

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions

Ability to write and speak persuasively

Ability to work with multiple City Departments

Excellent organizational skills

Effective and professional oral and written communication

Ability to work independently and think proactively

Ability to manage and prioritize numerous assignments

Computer skills required/desired for the position include:

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint One Drive, Powerpoint)

Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)

Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets).

Email (mail merge, filters, folders, rules)

Presentations/Slideshows (Powerpoint, Google Slides)

Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other virtual platforms

Ability to complete work projects in a timely and accurate manner

Experience exercising discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information

Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients;

Qualified candidates must be hard working, organized, attend to detail, and have an eager, helpful attitude;

Knowledge of City procedures is a plus;

Preferred candidate will possess an Associate’s degree, paralegal certificate or equivalent and have experience preferably in a legal setting.

This position is designated as fully onsite and employees are expected to report in person five (5) days per week, in accordance with the City Policy. Regular on-site presence is an operational requirement of this role.

Who Thrives in This Role

This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making decisions in real time, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.

Salary Range:$45,478 to $62,371 – Commensurate with education and experience

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Mary Josephine Markle, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor, Real Estate & Development Unit ( [e-mail] ).

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [e-mail].