Real Estate Paralegal

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth.

Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

Real Estate Paralegal

The Real Estate Paralegal supports sophisticated, high-value commercial transactions involving multiple properties, financing structures, and tight deadlines. Under the general direction of the Paralegal Manager, supervising attorney(s) and according to established Firm policies and procedures, the Paralegal is responsible for providing paralegal support and assistance to attorneys in the coordination, management and supervision of all aspects of real estate transactions.

The Paralegal’s primary responsibility is the review, analysis, and coordination of due diligence for commercial transactions. This includes the review of title commitments and underlying recorded title documents, ALTA surveys, and zoning reports. This is a hands-on, detail-heavy, deadline-driven real estate paralegal role that requires accuracy, speed, judgment, and follow-through. Additional responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the review the review and preparation of UCC filings, review and abstract of leases/estoppels/SNDAs, and other tasks related to sophisticated commercial real estate closings.

The Paralegal will coordinate closely with attorneys, title companies and underwriters, surveyors, zoning consultants, and internal teams. The Paralegal maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and Firm matters.

This role is best suited for candidates comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where accuracy and responsiveness are critical to closing timelines. Strong candidates for this role typically have hands-on experience with:

• Reviewing and analyzing title commitments and exception documents
  
  Interpreting ALTA surveys and zoning reports
• Identifying and resolving diligence issues impacting closings
• Coordinating directly with title companies and third-party consultants
• Supporting complex commercial transactions

The Real Estate Paralegal position can be located in the Chicago or Charlotte office. Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (Katten Flex).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Review and analyze title commitments, policies, and underlying title documents.
• Interpret and analyze ALTA surveys and zoning reports for transactional impact.
• Review and summarize declarations, REAs, and CCRs for material restrictions or risks.
• Proactive communication and coordination with third parties to finalize diligence matters on tight deadlines.
• Prepare and/or review UCC Financing Statements.
• Review and summarize UCC/lien/judgment searches.
• Manage multiple active deals at different stages simultaneously.
• Collaborate with other members of the National Due Diligence Team.
• Coordinate and assist with documentation for closing and post-closing requirements.
• Perform lease abstracting.
• Maintain up-to-date time reports to ensure accurate client billing.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• On a case-by-case basis, may supervise the work performed by Project Assistant and/or Paralegal I and II staff.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Firm’s policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities…