What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant (Corporate & Real Estate) position at Adams and Reese?
Legal Assistant (Corporate & Real Estate)
Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Reports to: Supervising Attorneys
Department: Legal Support
Job Summary:
This position assists attorneys in the Corporate Services practice group researching, and handling real estate and forestry matters, closings and post-closing procedures.
Responsibilities:
- Receiving requests for title commitments from clients and requesting title reports or certificates of title from abstractor or abstract companies; receiving and reviewing title reports and drafting title objection letters and analysis of surveys.
- Communicating by telephone, in person and in writing with buyers, sellers, realtors, lenders, appraisers, surveyors, insurance companies, title abstract and title insurance companies, taxing authorities, homeowners’ associations, attorneys, court personnel, and various other individuals and entities in connection with obtaining all necessary information for commercial real estate transactions.
- Scheduling loan closings and reviewing of closing packets received from mortgage companies; preparation of closing documents, including closing statements, affidavits, tax information statements, payoff letters, representation letters, closing binders and disbursement sheets; participation in closings; arranging for deposits of loan proceeds and disbursing all funds; filing of deeds, deeds of trust and UCCs with appropriate authorities; requesting title updates; receiving title updates and issuing title policies, and generally assisting closing attorney with all aspects of transactions, including gathering of preliminary information, ascertaining that closing is conducted in compliance with lender’s instructions, and compilation of closing documents upon completion.
- Receiving requests from clients for title updates and requesting same from abstract companies; receiving reports and drafting updated certificates of title or endorsements to title policies to lenders.
- Occasional research of land records.
- Tracking of real estate transactions throughout year for purposes of 1099s reporting; completion of 1099 Information Sheets and submission to reporting service.
- Drafting real-estate related documents, such as notices of foreclosure, lien notices, authorities to cancel, etc.
- Opening client files in the firm’s business intake system.
- Processing invoices through Chrome River.
- Reviewing attorney bills and working with Billing Specialists for accurate billing.
- Administrative support to the attorneys in the practice.
- May enter attorneys’ time in the time and billing system.
Supervision Received and/or Given:
- Occasionally work on projects for attorneys other than supervising attorney.
- Work closely with office manager on funds received and disbursed through trust accounts.
- Work closely with secretary on monthly reporting to title insurance companies on policies issued and opening of new files.
Minimum Acceptable Qualifications:
- 5-10 years prior real estate experience in a law firm setting.
Additional Desirable Qualifications:
- College Degree
- Certified Paralegal Certificate – Florida Bar
- Land Use Experience
- Notary
Working Conditions:
This position requires sitting for long periods of time while operating a computer. The position requires in-office work to support attorneys in their practices. At times, employees are required to work in excess of the normal work schedule, particularly during real estate closings. Employees in this position must be mobile, have the ability to bend, and have ability to lift and carry files weighing approximately 10-15 lbs.