Real Estate Paralegal

At Fried Frank, we’re a community of 800 lawyers and 500 business services professionals across New York, Washington, DC, London, Frankfurt, and Brussels. We advise leading corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions on high-stakes M&A, securities, regulatory matters, real estate, and litigation. Our culture is grounded in our core values — excellence, integrity and collaboration — and is designed to foster continuous learning, meaningful mentorship, and lasting professional growth. We are firmly committed to pro bono service and social justice, building on a proud legacy in civil rights. Our inclusive talent strategy is a core part of our broader talent management efforts and we remain steadfast in fostering a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and become their best professional and personal selves. Our business services professionals are integral to the firm’s success, driving innovation, operational excellence and exceptional client service across all areas of the firm. We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including comprehensive medical coverage, retirement plans and health and wellness initiatives designed to support your personal and professional wellbeing. We welcome passionate, driven individuals to join us, and be part of a team where you’ll be supported, inspired and empowered to build an exceptional career.

Position Summary:

The Real Estate Paralegal plays a key role in supporting the Real Estate Department’s attorneys on purchase and sale transactions and other “dirt” work. The incumbent may assist  on construction loan and other loan originations from time to time.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Due Diligence:

• Assist in reviewing and negotiating title insurance commitments and coverages and review and summarize exceptions for potential problems.
• Assist in reviewing and negotiating surveys.
• Perform other real estate due diligence, including
  • Abstracting leases and other material agreements,
  • Reviewing notes/mortgages being taken by assignment and
  • Ordering, reviewing and summarizing customary due diligence certificates and searches.

Closings; Document and Data Production and Management:

• Provide support for closings, including:
  • Tracking transaction tasks and phases and communicating progress to deal team as issues and/or items are resolved.
  • Preparing and tracking signature pages.
  • Managing and controlling execution of closing documents.
• Assist in organizing, obtaining, preparing, revising, proofreading and compiling loan and other closing documents, including escrow instructions and mortgage assignment documentation.
• Utilize, create or establish procedures to manage multi-state portfolio transactions.
• Ensure that corporate service provider and other third-party invoices are timely paid in accordance with the Firm’s policies regarding billing and invoicing.
• Produce and distribute internal and external closing indices and sets; organize and ensure retention of documents and records for completed transactions.
• Responsible for custodial deliveries and compliance with client-specific document management requirements.
• Follow up on various post-closing matters.
• Track information relating to real estate transactions.
• Utilize Firm document management systems, databases, and other resources to organize and maintain all types of documents and information. Work closely with IS on various data management issues.

Other Duties:

• Communicate directly with title companies, surveyors, zoning consultants, local counsel, clients and other third parties to resolve issues.
• Maintain timely and accurate timekeeping records.
• Communicate with title companies, clients and surveyors to resolve title issues.
• Coordinate with legal assistant colleagues across the Firm to ensure timely, effective and efficient service to attorneys and others across the Firm, provide coverage on matters, and develop and maintain processes and procedures.
• Assist in onboarding and training new hires joining the real estate legal assistant team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of commercial real estate paralegal experience within a law firm with demonstrated title/survey expertise and knowledge of complex issues within the commercial real estate practice area.

Skills & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of title and survey review for commercial properties.
• Must be a Notary Public licensed in New York State or able to obtain a commission within six months of joining the Firm.
• Ability to be resourceful and coordinate all phases of a closing.
• Proactive, analytical and consultative problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills to facilitate effective working relationships with attorneys, title specialist, clients and support staff.
• Must be able to organize and manage multiple priorities as well as effectively coordinate a heavy work flow.
• Ability to use Firm’s resources efficiently and effectively.
• Proficiency with various software programs including Outlook, Word, and use of the Internet.
• Proficiency with document management systems and online database management.
• Ability to work well in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well independently as well as effectively within a team.
• Commitment to work overtime, including nights and weekends.