Paralegal; Real Estate

Overview

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Paralegal department in our Chicago office, as a Paralegal - Real Estate.

Support attorneys throughout all phases of complex commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, leasing, and real estate finance. This position requires deep experience reviewing title and survey, managing due diligence, preparing and coordinating transaction documents, and overseeing multi‑party closings. The Paralegal is a liaison among clients, lenders, title companies, surveyors, and opposing counsel, ensuring accuracy and efficiency to provide seamless support during each transaction.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to operate independently in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.

Essential Functions:

Transaction Document Support

• Draft, review, and manage a wide range of real estate transaction documents, including:
  • Purchase and sale agreements
  • Loan and financing documents
  • Deeds, escrow instructions, estoppel certificates, tenant notices, corporate authority documents, and related instruments
• Prepare and revise organizational documents such as Articles of Incorporation, Certificates of Formation, Operating Agreements, Bylaws, and stock or membership certificates
• Draft title and survey objection letters, consent requests, correspondence, and other transactional documentation

Title, Survey & Due Diligence

• Conduct comprehensive due diligence for acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and financing matters
• Review and summarize title commitments, exception documents, surveys, UCC searches, and leases; prepare abstract summaries and issue‑spot for attorneys
• Work closely with title companies, surveyors, lenders, and opposing counsel to clear title and finalize surveys
• Determine transfer tax applicability and obtain required forms, affidavits, water certificates, building registrations, and other jurisdiction‑specific documentation

Closing Coordination

• Prepare and manage detailed closing checklists; track contingencies and critical dates
• Oversee pre‑closing and post‑closing processes, including execution packages, disbursement statements, recordation of documents, and preparation of closing binders
• File and track UCC financing statements and related amendments; coordinate post‑closing distributions and final policy issuance

Entity Formation & Maintenance

• Form and maintain LLCs, limited partnerships, corporations, and other entities for real estate transactions
• Obtain EINs, certificates of good standing, and local authority filings as required

Research & Administrative Support

• Record documents with appropriate county and state offices and manage follow‑up
• Provide guidance to junior associates and paralegals on title/survey analysis, closing procedures, and jurisdictional practices
• Maintain knowledge of title underwriting standards, survey requirements, and customary real estate practices across multiple jurisdictions

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3-5 years of commercial real estate paralegal experience in a law firm environment
• Extensive experience with title and survey review,…