Legal Assistant

The Legal Assistant supports the Legal Department of a real estate development company with a primary focus on drafting and managing construction contracts (e.g., design, GC/CM, trade, and vendor agreements) and coordinating real estate/financing closings. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and comfortable operating in a high-volume, fast-moving project pipeline.

Responsibilities

Construction Contracting

• Draft, edit, and format construction-related agreements using company templates, including prime agreements (GC/CM), design professional agreements, trade/subcontractor agreements, purchase orders, change orders, and service/vendor agreements.

Closing & Transaction Support

• Coordinate signatures, notarization, and document execution (including e-signature platforms such as Docu Sign).
• Draft and coordinate estoppels and SNDAs with tenants and lender’s counsel.
• Order and track title commitments, surveys, zoning letters, and certificates, and coordinate curative deliverables.
• Assist with UCC and lien searches/filings, good standing certificates, and entity documentation.
• Track critical dates; compile closing binders and post-closing deliverables.

Process, Systems, & Collaboration

• Interface with project managers, construction, development, and finance to align legal deliverables with project schedules.

Skills & Competencies

• Drafting precision:
  Maintains excellent grammar and formatting; integrates negotiated changes cleanly.
• Detail orientation:
  Tracks dozens of dates, exhibits, and requirements without losing the thread.
• Project management:
  Uses proactive checklists, follows through, and manages deadlines.
• Stakeholder communication:
  Uses clear, professional coordination across internal teams and external parties.
• Issue spotting:
  Flags deviations from templates (insurance limits, indemnity, warranty, lien waivers).
• Confidentiality & judgment:
  Handles sensitive information with discretion.

Qualifications

• 2+ years as a legal assistant, contracts specialist, or paralegal role, preferably in real estate development or construction.
• Strong experience with contract drafting/formatting.
• Familiarity with title/survey processes, closing checklists, and entity documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word styles/TOC, Excel trackers, Outlook, SharePoint/One Drive) and e-signature platforms (e.g., Docu Sign, Adobe Sign).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AIA forms and construction contract structures (lump sum, GMP, cost-plus).
• Notary Public commission (or willingness to obtain).
• Paralegal certificate or associate’s degree

Work Environment

• Office-based

All salary estimates are provided by Linked In, not Phoenix. Phoenix is committed to offering a competitive salary based on experience.