Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, a global Am Law 100 firm, is seeking a new Real Estate Paralegal in our Houston office. Sheppard Mullin is hiring an experienced, detail‑oriented Real Estate / Transactional Paralegal to support attorneys in the Firm’s Real Estate practice group. This includes conducting due diligence, managing closing processes, and collaborating with external vendors to ensure efficient and accurate transaction handling. Technical, organizational, and administrative skills are necessary to handle the variety of duties and responsibilities outlined below. The position handles multiple projects, often in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment, requiring prioritization and flexibility. Collaboration with firm personnel at all levels is integral to the role.
The Real Estate Paralegal will provide critical support to attorneys with a busy desk in the Real Estate Practice Group. Responsibilities include assisting with complex commercial real‑estate transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and leasing. The role involves managing due diligence review, preparing and organizing closing deliverables, drafting transactional documents, coordinating communications with clients, title companies, and other parties, and ensuring compliance with firm and legal standards. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and a high level of professionalism in all client and team interactions. Collaboration with firm personnel at all levels is integral to the role.
Essential Job Functions
Communicates regularly with the team. Double checks work product before presenting attorneys for review and again before sending or filing.
Conducts fact investigation and development, analysis and strategy, and document and file management.
Must be available and able to work during core business hours.
Ability to work overtime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
Primary Responsibilities and Expectations
Order and conduct UCC, lien, and litigation searches.
Run federal court searches via PACER.
Execute patent, trademark, and copyright (IP) searches.
Review UCC, lien, and IP search results; prepare abstracts for attorney and client review.
Obtain charter documents and good standing certificates.
Closing Process
Prepare UCC filings, including detailed collateral descriptions.
Record UCC filings, IP collateral, and other collateral types, such as deeds of trust.
Draft release documents for all types of collateral.
Prepare closing checklists and execution signature page sets.
Compile executed PDF closing documents and provide general assistance with loan closings.
Prepare and distribute closing transcripts.
Manage and distribute original documents.
Project Management
Work with outside research vendors to facilitate diligence search orders.
Oversee the recording of UCC and collateral documents.
Ensure most UCC filings are processed online through vendor services and filed electronically.
Confidentiality: Maintain client confidence by keeping client/attorney information confidential.
Required Qualifications
A minimum of 4-7 years of Real Estate Paralegal experience working in a law firm.
Ability to handle multiple projects with changing priorities while working independently in a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to work overtime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
Possess excellent spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills.
Education And/Or Experience A high school diploma or equivalent is required, plus substantial and relevant work experience. A bachelor’s degree or some college is preferred.
License and Certification An ABA‑approved paralegal certification is preferred.
Computer/Software Knowledge Must have proficiency in Windows 11, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Zoom, and Teams. Must be able to quickly learn new skills and systems.
Work Environment
Working indoors with limited exposure to hazards (only those that customarily come up with working in a high‑rise building).
Indoor office work environment in a cubical or workstation.
The current Firm policy is hybrid–working in the office a minimum of 3 days per week and working from home the rest of the week (subject to change).
Overtime may be required as the job duties demand.
Travel Requirements Minimal domestic travel may be required to other SMRH offices, up to 10%.
Equal Opportunity Employer Sheppard Mullin is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, protected medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.
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The Real Estate Paralegal will provide critical support to attorneys with a busy desk in the Real Estate Practice Group. Responsibilities include assisting with complex commercial real‑estate transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and leasing. The role involves managing due diligence review, preparing and organizing closing deliverables, drafting transactional documents, coordinating communications with clients, title companies, and other parties, and ensuring compliance with firm and legal standards. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and a high level of professionalism in all client and team interactions. Collaboration with firm personnel at all levels is integral to the role.
Essential Job Functions
Communicates regularly with the team. Double checks work product before presenting attorneys for review and again before sending or filing.
Conducts fact investigation and development, analysis and strategy, and document and file management.
Must be available and able to work during core business hours.
Ability to work overtime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
Primary Responsibilities and Expectations
Order and conduct UCC, lien, and litigation searches.
Run federal court searches via PACER.
Execute patent, trademark, and copyright (IP) searches.
Review UCC, lien, and IP search results; prepare abstracts for attorney and client review.
Obtain charter documents and good standing certificates.
Closing Process
Prepare UCC filings, including detailed collateral descriptions.
Record UCC filings, IP collateral, and other collateral types, such as deeds of trust.
Draft release documents for all types of collateral.
Prepare closing checklists and execution signature page sets.
Compile executed PDF closing documents and provide general assistance with loan closings.
Prepare and distribute closing transcripts.
Manage and distribute original documents.
Project Management
Work with outside research vendors to facilitate diligence search orders.
Oversee the recording of UCC and collateral documents.
Ensure most UCC filings are processed online through vendor services and filed electronically.
Confidentiality: Maintain client confidence by keeping client/attorney information confidential.
Required Qualifications
A minimum of 4-7 years of Real Estate Paralegal experience working in a law firm.
Ability to handle multiple projects with changing priorities while working independently in a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to work overtime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
Possess excellent spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills.
Education And/Or Experience A high school diploma or equivalent is required, plus substantial and relevant work experience. A bachelor’s degree or some college is preferred.
License and Certification An ABA‑approved paralegal certification is preferred.
Computer/Software Knowledge Must have proficiency in Windows 11, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Zoom, and Teams. Must be able to quickly learn new skills and systems.
Work Environment
Working indoors with limited exposure to hazards (only those that customarily come up with working in a high‑rise building).
Indoor office work environment in a cubical or workstation.
The current Firm policy is hybrid–working in the office a minimum of 3 days per week and working from home the rest of the week (subject to change).
Overtime may be required as the job duties demand.
Travel Requirements Minimal domestic travel may be required to other SMRH offices, up to 10%.
Equal Opportunity Employer Sheppard Mullin is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, protected medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.
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