What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal - Real Estate position at Baker Brand?
Our Austin office has an excellent opportunity for an experienced Paralegal to join our growing affordable housing team. Our ideal candidate has experience supporting attorneys by performing routine and advanced tasks in a high-volume, complex, and productive real estate practice. The job responsibilities include performing overall paralegal and practice support tasks, including:
- Draft and submit applications and filings to governmental agencies, including the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and local appraisal districts.
- Manage multiple real estate transactions and regulatory matters concurrently in a high-volume environment.
- Track and meet critical deadlines across transactions and regulatory processes.
- Assist with real estate closings, including but not limited to gathering closing due diligence, assembling documents and handling of post-closing delivery requirements.
- Draft basic closing, organizational, and related legal documents and agreements.
- Prepare and track property tax exemption requests with applicable appraisal districts.
- Communicate with clients to provide guidance, respond to requests, and collect required diligence.
- Coordinate with vendors to obtain searches, certificates, and other required closing documentation.
- Establish and maintain professional relationships with clients, nonprofit organizations, vendors, and governmental agencies.
- Support nonprofit clients with operational and compliance-related matters, including navigation of closing matters, board matters and portfolio support.
- Process vendor invoices in the firm's accounting system.
- Maintain organized files, data rooms, and supporting documentation throughout the transaction lifecycle.
- Complete time-entry records accurately and on a timely basis to support client billing, reporting, and firm accounting requirements.
- Provide general support to attorneys and assist with additional tasks as needed.
Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Paralegal certificate from an ABA approved program is a plus.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in real estate practice area is required.
- Ability to stay abreast of changing local, state, and federal laws, as needed.
- Knowledge of corporate organization and structure, including various forms of entities and applicable filings with Secretary of State and Comptroller.
- Familiarity with foundational documentation related to real estate acquisitions and loan financing transactions.
- Proven ability to interface with clients and clearly and effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to manage team collaboration for completion of projects and transactions.
- Exceptional organizational skills, initiative, and attention to detail, as well as the ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing responsibilities efficiently.
- Manage, prioritize and track multiple deadlines and competing priorities in a fast-paced team environment.
- Must be available to work overtime when needed and as requested.
- Software knowledge must include Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Acrobat, NetDocs, or other document management systems, and Intapp or other time entry systems.
- Efficient and cost-effective use of practice support, databases, and other technology.
- Efficient use of artificial intelligence tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity in a legal environment.
- High proficiency in grammar, proofreading, and transcription.
- Must exercise discretion with confidential and sensitive information and use good judgment while prioritizing needs of the clients and the firm.
- Ability to work well under pressure and quickly adapt to changing priorities.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.