Real Estate Paralegal

BCLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 118,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

BCLP seeks a Real Estate Paralegal in Chicago to support our real estate team across transactions, financing, leasing and development. You will work under the Associate Director of Paralegals and Real Estate attorneys to draft, review and organize closing documents, perform legal research, and ensure timely post-closing follow-up.

The role requires handling multiple complex files, communicating clearly with clients, and maintaining accurate files with strong attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or paralegal certificate preferred.
• Experience with real estate transactional work is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate documentation and closing of real estate transactions (sales, purchases, leases, mortgage financing).
• Review title commitments, title documents and surveys.
• Draft and edit transaction documents and correspondence.
• Ensure pre-closing preparation and post-closing follow-up is completed.
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw/Lexis; compile and organize documents.

Skills

Legal research

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Multitasking

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Paralegal certificate

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Internet research

Job description

At BCLP, we’ve built our firm on the foundations of thinking differently. Curious, inquisitive and unbound by tradition, we’re building change within our sector and beyond.

It starts with our people, which is why we need a Real Estate Paralegal to join our team. Under the management of the Associate Director of Paralegals and at the direction of the Real Estate Team Lead and Real Estate attorneys, this position will assist in rendering legal services in the area of commercial real estate and acquisitions, real estate finance, leasing, and real estate development.

Locations: Chicago, Denver, Irvine, New York, St. Louis

Key Responsibilities

• Providing various coordination efforts with respect to the documentation and closing of real estate transactions, including sales, purchases, leases, and mortgage financing
• Reviewing title commitments, title documents and surveys
• Creating, composing, and editing written material such as transaction documents, correspondence and/or legal documentation
• Ensuring all pre-closing preparation, and post-closing follow up is properly completed in a timely manner
• Creating, composing, and editing written material such as transaction documents, closing documents, loan documents, correspondence and/or other legal documentation
• Performing legal research, which may include retrieval of statutes and regulations
• Performing electronic research using Westlaw, Lexis and Internet
• Recording documents with the various Recorder’s offices
• Drafting documents and correspondence
• Corresponding with clients and organizations, in writing, by telephone or electronic communications, as directed by the supervising attorney
• Entering time and releasing it on a daily basis
• Performing other duties as assigned
• Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office programs
• Proven ability to handle all support aspects of a commercial real estate transaction including, title/survey review, due diligence, document drafting, and closing/post-closing procedures
• Ability to handle numerous tasks simultaneously and maintain organized files for voluminous transactions
• Proven analytical and organizational skills and ability to pay very close attention to detail in an efficient manner
• Ability to deal professionally and communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing with internal and external clients on all levels
• Proven ability to problem solve, think independently and tackle projects with minimal supervision while maintaining timely and efficient organization
• This position is in a critical needs area and may need to arrive early, stay late or work weekends with little or no notice
• Requires the ability to regularly report to work on the days and times scheduled.
• Ability to be flexible, handle pressure and adapt to changing work priorities, work flow and work assignments
• Ability to regularly report to work on the days and times scheduled

Experience & Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree and/or paralegal certificate preferred
• 6-10 years’ experience with RE transactional work including title and survey projects.
• Some travel could be required at times.

Pursuant to the pay transparency laws, BCLP is posting a reasonable estimate of a compensation range for this position. At the time of posting, the estimated California and New York range is between $118,000 to $150,000 and the estimated Colorado and Illinois pay range is between $118,000 to $140,000. Actual compensation will be influenced by various factors, including but not limited to the level of relevant experience, skill sets, training, licensure and certifications, internal equity, market data, and other job-related factors permitted by law. The range is based on a full-time work schedule. Additional compensation may include an annual discretionary bonus.

At BCLP we understand the value of a workforce with diverse perspectives and experiences, and we believe people perform at their best when they can truly be themselves at work. We aim to create an inclusive environment where all our employees are valued, motivated and able to be themselves. In order to provide the best possible service to our robust client base, we are committed to recruiting, retaining, rewarding and developing our people with regard to their abilities and contributions and without reference to their background, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, political belief, disability or any other applicable protected characteristic.

• Signee to the United Nations’ Global LGBTQ* Standard of Conduct for Business
• Named by Stonewall as a “Top Global Employer 2025”
• BCLP has received a top score in the HRCF’s Corporate Equality Index for 19 years. On the 2023-2024 index we scored 95%.

BCLP is an equal employment opportunity employer. The Firm strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, military status, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation or medical conditions related thereto), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. The Firm also strictly prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any protected class or status. The Firm complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting applications for employment, including consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on BCLP. Please inform the Firm's personnel representative if you need accommodation to assist in completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.

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