Senior Real Estate Paralegal

About the role

This position places an experienced professional at the center of complex real estate transactions. The Senior Real Estate Paralegal is responsible for owning transaction execution from initial contact through final closing. Success in this role directly influences strategic decisions for demanding clients operating in high-stakes markets. The work requires translating intricate legal documents and requirements into clear, actionable steps that ensure deal momentum. You will serve as the operational backbone of high-value real estate deals, ensuring that every procedural detail is managed with precision. The role demands a proactive approach to problem-solving, where your analysis directly prevents delays and protects client interests. You will act as the primary liaison between attorneys, clients, and third-party vendors to maintain seamless workflow. Ultimately, this position is designed for a self-driven expert who thrives on managing the full lifecycle of real estate transactions.

Key facts

Positions are available in multiple U.S. locations, including Century City, Colorado, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The engagement centers on real estate transactions and associated litigation support activities. The annual compensation for this role is established within the range of $140,000 to $200,000.

What you'll do

• Execute the full scope of transaction management for real estate deals, taking ownership from initial client contact to the final closing signature.
• Draft initial pleadings and correspondence that help frame early legal strategy for partners and senior attorneys.
• Chart title documents, surveys, and zoning reports to identify and expose material risks before they escalate into deal-breakers.
• Coordinate directly with underwriters and title companies to align policy terms and manage client expectations proactively.
• Guide the handling of UCC and mezzanine endorsements to ensure financing structures meet the strict standards of institutional lenders.
• Negotiate responses with surveyors and zoning consultants to resolve factual disputes efficiently and keep transactions moving.
• Prepare mortgage discharges and escrow instructions to keep closings precise, orderly, and on aggressive schedules.
• Summarize lease positions and abstract critical data to support rapid decision-making by partners and in-house clients.
• Order and review UCC, bankruptcy, and lien searches, then synthesize and package the findings for efficient partner review.
• Draft ancillary loan documents and conveyance paperwork, maintaining uncompromising accuracy on every clause and exhibit.
• Conduct residential, condominium, and cooperative closings for sellers, purchasers, and lenders across a variety of transaction types.
• Perform due diligence on real estate holdings, ensuring all conditions, covenants, and restrictions are thoroughly analyzed.
• Maintain comprehensive deal logs and status reports to track milestones, deadlines, and outstanding items.
• Act as the central point of contact for document retrieval, execution, and delivery, ensuring strict adherence to timelines.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree and possess a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in AmLaw 100 real estate practice. You must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple complex transactions concurrently while adhering to tight deadlines and maintaining exacting quality standards. The individual must possess strong analytical skills to dissect title, survey, and zoning materials effectively to protect client interests at every turn. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential for clear interaction with internal teams, external advisors, and high-level corporate clients. The role requires a high degree of self-motivation and the ability to work autonomously while also collaborating effectively across multiple office locations. Paralegals must exhibit flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and be available to work overtime during peak transaction volumes without complaint. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe applications is mandatory for success in this fast-paced environment. You must be capable of maintaining strict confidentiality regarding privileged client information and sensitive transaction data. The ability to translate complex legal terminology into practical action plans is a core requirement of the position.

Nice to have

Prior experience with Gibson Dunn specific workflows and client expectations is preferred where applicable.

Practical notes

Please confirm specific details on the official application page before you submit your materials.