Real Estate, Land Use & Environmental Paralegal

Opportunity

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is seeking a Real Estate, Land Use & Environmental Paralegal to support attorneys on commercial real estate transactions, with a primary focus on title and survey review, due diligence, and closing coordination. The role also supports land use and environmental matters and requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple matters concurrently.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct detailed title review and analysis, including commitments, policies, pro formas, and endorsements.

• Identify and analyze title exceptions, easements, covenants, restrictions, liens, and encumbrances; flag issues for attorney review.

• Review title exception documents; prepare title review memoranda and title objection letters; track responses; and monitor cure items through closing.

• Request and negotiate pro forma title insurance policies, including lender and owner policies.

• Prepare estoppel certificates and SNDAs and coordinate execution with clients and third parties.

• Review and analyze ALTA/NSPS surveys, including boundary lines, easements, encroachments, access, and survey exceptions.

• Review and summarize third party reports and flag any issues for attorney review.

• Order and track third party reports including zoning, property condition and environmental.

• Coordinate with title companies, escrow agents, surveyors and other third parties to resolve title and survey issues.

• Prepare and manage title objections letters, track responses, and monitor cure items through close.

• Order and track title updates, bring-downs, and endorsements and confirm compliance with transaction requirements.

• Reconcile title and survey materials to identify and resolve discrepancies.

• Prepare, manage, and update closing checklists.  

• Review Preliminary closing statements and closing binders.

• Organize and maintain due diligence materials, including title, survey, zoning, and environmental reports.

• Order and review zoning reports and coordinate revisions with zoning consultants.

• Support leasing matters by drafting leases and amendments incorporating LOI terms and assisting with related leasing documents, including consents and broker agreements.

• Prepare and review organizational documents, including consents and resolutions, and assemble and circulate entity records.

• Order and review certified organizational documents and good standing certificates; obtain EINs for newly formed entities; and file and register entities with secretaries of state, including qualifications to do business.

• Order and review judgment and lien searches and obtain missing information needed to complete closing deliverables.

• Prepare closing instructions and coordinate settlement statements with title companies and clients.

• Finalize documents for execution and recording, assemble exhibits, and coordinate delivery of closing packages.

• Prepare and file UCC financing statements and related amendments, assignments, and terminations and coordinate related filings.

• Support post-closing by following up on recorded documents and title policies and reviewing post-closing deliverables for accuracy.

• Maintain transaction timelines and ensure deadlines are met; calendaring all deadlines.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program.

• At least 7+ years of paralegal experience, strong emphasis on commercial real estate transactions and tile and surveys.

• Demonstrated experience reviewing and analyzing title commitments and ALTA/NSPS surveys.

• Familiarity with title insurance products, endorsements, and closing processes.

• Understanding land use and environmental due diligence is a plus.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and document management systems.

Key Competencies:

• Advanced attention to detail, particularly in reviewing technical title and survey documents.

• Strong analytical and issue-spotting skills.

• Ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines.

• Effective communication with attorneys, clients, and third-party vendors.

• Strong organization and follow-through.

The base annual pay range for this role is $100,000–$140,000. Compensation will vary based on skills, qualifications, experience, and location, and internal equity will be considered. A full range of medical, financial, and other benefits (depending on position) is also offered.