Senior Paralegal

The University of Texas System; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

The University of Texas System seeks a detail-oriented real estate paralegal to support the Office of General Counsel in a fast-paced environment. The role involves drafting and reviewing real estate documents, conducting due diligence, and coordinating closing activities across multiple jurisdictions.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s degree with six years of related experience, are proficient in MS Office and legal databases, and can manage confidential information with discretion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus six years of related experience in higher education, government, law firm, title company, private developer, or similar setting.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and/or relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience in higher education, government, or law firm settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and revise real estate documents including purchase and sale agreements, leases, licenses, and easements.
• Review title commitments and surveys; draft title/survey objection letters; obtain title clearing documents.
• Conduct due diligence reviews of secretary of state records, tax records, and county deed records; obtain recorded instruments.
• Prepare, finalize, and manage closing documents and closing instruction letters.
• Manage and access transaction data using standard office software and other applications.
• Coordinate and distribute data to stakeholders including managing attorneys, outside counsel, institutional clients, title companies, and government agencies.
• Monitor compliance activities and provide basic advice on regulatory requirements per UT System regulations and policies.
• Build effective working relationships with managing attorneys and assist in managing real estate transactions and documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Real estate knowledge

Title commitments

Document management

MS Office & Adobe Acrobat

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Litera software

iManage

Westlaw

Job description

Required Application Materials

A resume and letter of interest is required to apply. Candidates under final consideration will also be required to submit professional references, college degree information, and employment history to an online third-party vendor.

FLSA Status

Exempt

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience

Hours per Week

40 hours weekly

Hiring Department

Office of General Counsel

Required Application Materials

A resume and letter of interest is required to apply. Candidates under final consideration will also be required to submit professional references, college degree information, and employment history to an online third-party vendor.

About Us

For more than 140 years, The University of Texas System has improved the lives of Texans — and people all over the world — through education, health care, and research. The System consists of nine academic institutions, four health institutions, and The University of Texas System Administration. The institutions of the UT System employ more than 160,000 faculty, health care professionals, researchers, support staff, and student workers.

The UT System Administration is primarily based in Austin, Texas. It supports the missions of the System’s thirteen institutions by providing financial, legal, planning, purchasing, government relations, communications, development, and other central services. Serving a growing state, the UT System Administration strives to provide a welcoming, supportive work environment that embraces different perspectives - not only because it enables the organization to be stronger, creative, and thoughtful, but because it is the right thing to do. To that end, UT System Administration embraces state laws on military and former foster children employment preferences.

Purpose of Position

Provides substantive paralegal and transaction support to the real estate attorneys in the Office of General Counsel’s Business Law Section on a wide range of real estate transactions and information. This position requires drafting contracts, conducting research, and managing information from inception through closing and post-closing administration. The qualified candidate must be a detail-oriented, highly responsible, and self-motivated team player who can effectively navigate a fast-paced environment. Success in this position requires excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Essential Functions

• Assist attorneys with the preparation, review, and revision of real estate documents, including purchase and sale agreements, leases, licenses, and easements.
• Assist attorneys in reviewing title commitments, title exception documents, and surveys, preparing first drafts of title and survey objection letters, and obtaining title clearing documents.
• Conduct and organize legal and real estate due diligence reviews, including researching secretary of state records, tax appraisal district records, and county deed records and obtaining recorded instruments from real property records in various jurisdictions.
• Assist attorneys with preparing, finalizing, and managing closing documents and closing instruction letters.
• Manage and access transaction data independently, using a variety of applications for technology devices, such as standard and innovative office software.
• Coordinate and distribute data to stakeholders, including managing attorneys and outside counsel, institutional clients, title companies, and government agencies.
• Monitor a wide range of compliance activities and give basic advice on compliance and regulatory requirements; and deliver high-quality professional services on both routine and complex projects pursuant to UT System’s regulations and policies.
• Build effective working relationships with managing attorneys and contribute to the management of real estate transactions and documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of commercial real estate transactions and closing processes.
• Familiarity with title commitments, title insurance policies, surveys, and title curative matters.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple transactions and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to diligently maintain confidentiality of privileged, proprietary, and sensitive information.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat, including advanced proficiency with Word, Outlook, and PDF editing.
• Strong attention to detail and familiarity with document management systems and legal databases, such as iManage and Westlaw.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, plus six (6) years of related experience in higher education, government, law firm, title company, private developer, or similar setting.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. Examples of equivalent qualifications include:
• Master's degree plus four (4) years of related experience.
• Associate degree or a paralegal certificate plus eight (8) years of related experience.
• High School Diploma (or GED) plus ten (10) years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fifteen (15) or more years of progressively responsible commercial real estate experience in higher education, government, law firm, title company, private developer, or similar setting.
• Experience using Litera software and other productivity and artificial intelligence technology.

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Uses standard office equipment
• Requires occasional evening or weekend hours
• Hybrid work environment (remote & office)

Additional Information

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to a minimum of 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Participation in TRS is mandatory.

A background check will be conducted on candidates under final consideration. The background check may include any or all of the following: criminal history check, prior employment verification, education verification, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check. Background checks are conducted by third-party vendors. Upon request from the third-party vendor, candidates under final consideration must provide the required information for the background checks to be completed.

EO/AA Statement

The University of Texas System Administration is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees in all terms and conditions of employment. U. T. System will provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.

For information on accommodations for individuals with disabilities, please contact the Office of Talent and Innovation at [e-mail] .