Real Estate Paralegal

Porter Hedges LLP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule after 90 days

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) plan

Gym access

Metro pass

Job summary

Porter Hedges LLP in Houston seeks an experienced Paralegal to support its Real Estate and Real Estate Finance teams. The candidate will assist attorneys on sophisticated transactions in a law firm or corporate setting, focusing on transactional support.

The role emphasizes pre-closing tasks, due diligence, title reviews, and preparing real estate documents, with opportunities for hybrid work after an initial period. Strong organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or four years of paralegal/secretarial experience.
• Minimum of two years of commercial real estate and real estate finance experience.
• Familiar with filing documents with Secretary of State and county clerks.
• Certified Legal Assistant Certificate preferred; strong MS Office skills.
• Proficiency with document automation software and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assist Real Estate Section with pre-closing tasks from letter of intent through closing binders.
• Conduct due diligence reviews, title searches, and survey reviews.
• Perform UCC and other searches.
• Prepare contracts, leases, and real estate loan documents for attorney review.
• Obtain, prepare, and file LLCs and other entity documents.
• Coordinate closings with attorneys and clients.
• Maintain time and billing data for all firm tasks.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Word

Outlook

PDF tools

Excel

Document automation

Job description

Porter Hedges is seeking an experienced Paralegal to support our Real Estate and Real Estate Finance sections. A successful candidate for this position must have experience assisting attorneys working on sophisticated real estate and finance transactions in a law firm or corporate legal department, with an emphasis in supporting transactional functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the Real Estate Section with pre-closing tasks for several transactions concurrently, from letter of intent through completion of closing binders.
• Conducts due diligence reviews, title searches, and survey reviews.
• Performs UCC and other searches.
• Prepares various contracts, lease agreements, and real estate secured loan documents (including use of client’s loan origination system through Citrix) for the attorney’s review.
• Obtains, prepares, and files various documents, certificates, statements, amendments, and forms forming limited liability companies and other entities.
• Coordinates, attends, and participates in closings with the attorney(s).
• Maintains general contact with the clients, attorneys, and other legal personnel under the supervision of the attorney.
• Prepares and inputs time and billing data and text regarding all work time expended on any client or firm tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent of four years of secretarial/paralegal experience).
• Minimum of two years of commercial real estate and real estate finance experience, preferably in the professional services industry. Experience with real estate and real estate finance transactions and closings and survey and title review is required.
• Must be familiar with filing appropriate documents with the Secretary of State and county clerk offices.
• Certified Legal Assistant Certificate is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Word, Outlook, and PDF software (ability to manipulate and edit PDFs using Acrobat, Nuance, etc.) is required. Extensive knowledge of Excel is preferred.
• Proficiency in the use of document automation software.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all information.
• Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks; strong organizational and records management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to work with all levels of firm personnel as well as with individuals outside the firm.
• Must be reliable, a self-starter, and have a professional demeanor.

Work hours daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as well as additional hours, as needed.

BENEFITS:

• Eligible for hybrid work schedule after working at the firm for 90 days (3 days in office, two days WFH).
• Robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability group insurance, and paid time off and holidays.
• Option to participate in the Firm’s 401(k)/discretionary profit-sharing program.
• Central downtown location and choice of Firm-paid garage parking or Firm-paid monthly METRO bus pass.
• Access to the building’s gym at no additional cost.
• Access to the building’s amenity floor that includes virtual Topgolf, shuffleboard, pool table, etc.

Porter Hedges LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SUMMARY:

About Porter Hedges LLP

Founded in 1981, Porter Hedges is a full-service Houston-based law firm with an office in Oklahoma City. Our team includes business and trial lawyers experienced in a wide range of legal services across a broad spectrum of industries with preeminence in the energy industry. We are known for handling sophisticated transactions and complex litigation on behalf of a diverse group of clients in established and growing industries. We represent public and private companies and are recognized for both the depth of our experience and the ability to meet our clients’ business objectives. Our team has particular experience in energy transactions, corporate M&A, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, commercial lending and finance, real estate, and construction law.