What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant position at Friedman Williams?
One of New York City's leading real estate law firms, is seeking an experienced Real Estate Legal Assistant / Paralegal / Transfer Agent to join its Real Estate Department.
This position is ideal for a highly organized professional with substantial experience supporting attorneys in residential and commercial real estate transactions, including sponsor sales, title review, commercial closings, and transfer-related matters.
The successful candidate will work closely with attorneys, clients, title companies, lenders, managing agents, and other transaction parties in a fast-paced and dynamic real estate practice.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Handle residential real estate transactions on behalf of sellers and buyers, including sponsor sales and transfer matters.
• Assist attorneys with commercial real estate transactions, including:
o Commercial loan closings (borrower representation)
o Purchases and sales of office buildings
o Shopping centers
o Other commercial real estate transactions
• Review title reports and assist in resolving title-related issues.
• Assist other departments with the real estate aspects of transactions, including:
o Trust and Estates matters
o Corporate transactions
o Property transfers
• Draft, review, proofread, organize, and maintain transactional documentation.
• Prepare closing disclosures, closing statements, transfer documents, and related materials.
• Maintain transaction files and closing checklists and monitor deal progress.
• Coordinate with clients, lenders, title companies, managing agents, purchasers, sellers, and opposing counsel regarding transaction requirements.
• Attend and assist with closings and post-closing follow-up.
• Perform additional transactional and administrative support duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
• Minimum five (5) years of real estate experience, including title review experience.
• Experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, title company, or similar real estate transactional environment.
• Experience supporting residential real estate transactions and commercial real estate matters.
• Strong familiarity with transactional workflow, closing documentation, and title-related issues.
• Excellent proofreading, organizational, follow-up, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with sponsor sales and cooperative/condominium transfers.
• Experience working with title companies, lenders, and managing agents.
• Experience with iManage or comparable document management systems.
• Notary Public commission is a plus.
Compensation
Competitive compensation commensurate with experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
In addition to base compensation, employees are eligible for consideration for a discretionary, prorated year-end bonus, based on start date, individual performance, and Firm performance.
Work Arrangement
Hybrid schedule. Legal Assistants are generally expected to work in the office at least four (4) days per week. Remote work is typically limited to Fridays, subject to business needs, workload demands, departmental coverage, and satisfactory attendance. If an employee has not met the Firm's four-day in-office requirement during a given week, remote work on Friday may not be available.
Benefits Include:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• 401(k) with Firm Match
• Firm-Paid Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• Flexible Spending Benefits
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Summer Fridays
• Additional Firm-sponsored benefits and programs