Paralegal II – Real Estate

Kirkland & Ellis; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis seeks a Real Estate Paralegal to support high-value commercial real estate transactions for corporate, private equity, lender, and investor clients. You’ll drive due diligence, coordinate deal execution, and help close complex real estate deals.

Working closely with attorneys and clients, you’ll prepare deeds, affidavits and closing documents, manage closing logistics, and resolve title and survey issues while delivering exceptional client service in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Paralegal certificate preferred.
• 7+ years of complex commercial real estate experience in a law firm or title insurance company.
• Strong knowledge of title, survey, zoning, leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and closing processes.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Energy, Oil & Gas leasing experience a plus; occasional travel and overtime may be required.

Responsibilities

• Manage due diligence: review title commitments, surveys, leases, and related docs; identify issues and prepare summaries.
• Support transactions: create property charts, closing checklists, date trackers, and status reports.
• Draft closing documents: deeds, affidavits, assignments, estoppels, releases, transfer tax forms.
• Coordinate closings: manage signatures, notarization, escrow, logistics, and closing books.
• Resolve title and survey matters: work with title companies, surveyors, clients and opposing counsel to clear issues.
• Provide entity & UCC support: form entities, obtain EINs, file UCC documents, coordinate searches and filings.

Skills

Due Diligence

Transactions

Drafting Documents

Client Service

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Paralegal certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

As a Real Estate Paralegal, you will support high-value commercial real estate transactions for corporate, private equity, lender, and investor clients. Working closely with attorneys and clients, you’ll drive due diligence efforts, coordinate deal execution, resolve title and survey issues, and play a critical role in successful closings.

• Manage Due Diligence: Review title commitments, surveys, zoning reports, leases, and related documents; identify issues and prepare summaries and responses.
• Support Transactions: Create property charts, closing checklists, critical date trackers, and status reports for complex real estate deals.
• Draft Transaction Documents: Prepare deeds, affidavits, assignments, estoppels, releases, transfer tax forms, and other closing documents.
• Coordinate Closings: Manage signatures, notarization, escrow deliveries, closing logistics, and closing books.
• Resolve Title & Survey Matters: Partner with title companies, surveyors, clients, and opposing counsel to clear issues and keep transactions on track.
• Provide Entity & UCC Support: Form entities, obtain Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), file Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) documents, and coordinate related searches and filings.
• Deliver Exceptional Client Service: Act as a trusted resource for attorneys and clients while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

What You’ll Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Paralegal certificate preferred.
• Experience: 7+ years of complex commercial real estate experience in a law firm or title insurance company.
• Real Estate Expertise: Strong knowledge of title, survey, zoning, leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and closing processes.
• Core Strengths: Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Additional Qualifications: Energy, Oil & Gas leasing experience is a plus. Ability to travel occasionally and work overtime as needed.

If you’re excited to support sophisticated real estate transactions, collaborate with high-performing legal teams, and make an impact as a Real Estate Paralegal, we’d love to hear from you!

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.