Paralegal (Real Estate)

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, commercial leasing, and real estate finance transactions
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi‑party, multi‑state closings
• Strong drafting, organizational, and communication skills; ability to interact directly with clients, lenders, title officers, and opposing counsel

Performance Traits:

• Strong Transactional Judgment 
  • Understands deal flow, anticipates next steps, and prioritizes tasks based on transaction timelines
• High Level of Organization 
  • Manages multiple transactions simultaneously while maintaining structure, deadlines, and documentation integrity
• Effective Communication Skills 
  • Communicates clearly and professionally with internal staff and attorneys, clients, lenders, title officers, and opposing counsel
• Ownership & Accountability 
  • Takes responsibility for deliverables, follows through on commitments, and ensures completion of assigned closing tasks
• Resourcefulness & Initiative 
  • Seeks out information, anticipates needs, and improves processes without waiting for direction
• Strong Research Skills 
  • Efficiently uses legal research tools and jurisdictional resources to support transactional needs
• Commitment to Quality & Continuous Improvement 
  • Regularly refines skills, stays current on real estate practices, and enhances work product

The typical pay scale for this position is between $62,000 and $101,000, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate’s education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified. 

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please email 

uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com

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