Senior Paralegal

Paralegal Position at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan (University) Office of the Vice President and General Counsel (OGC) seeks to add to its excellent team an outstanding paralegal with expertise in real estate.

A successful candidate must be able to provide critical assistance to the University's attorneys and work closely with the University Real Estate Office on legal matters involving property leasing, licensing, acquisitions, related due diligence, and transactional work, more generally. In this dynamic and fast-paced workplace, the candidate should be enthusiastic about taking a client-centered, business-oriented, collegial approach to representing a world-class public research institution. This role is essential to advancing the University's dynamic and expanding real estate portfolio across education, healthcare, and research missions.

Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan is one of the world's premier academic institutions and boasts a top tier health system, inclusive of a world-renowned academic medical center and a network of hospitals and clinics spanning the state of Michigan. OGC represents and advises the entire University community, including the Board of Regents, the President, the Executive Officers, Michigan Medicine, the schools and colleges on all three campuses, and the University's regional medical centers.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate various real estate agreements, including:
• Commercial and institutional leases (both landlord and tenant sides)
• Property license and access/use agreements
• Property easements
• Land use and cost sharing agreements with municipalities for joint infrastructure projects
• Lease amendments, subleases, tenant estoppels, and SNDAs (Subordination, Non-Disturbance, and Attornment Agreements)
• Support real estate acquisitions, donations, and dispositions by:
• Reviewing due diligence materials, including title commitments, title exceptions, and surveys
• Reviewing purchase agreements
• Coordinating with title companies, surveyors, and other external parties
• Assisting in preparation of closing checklists, closing binders, and transactional documents
• Conduct legal and factual research related to real estate laws, zoning, land use, and other regulatory issues
• Develop and update real estate legal document templates
• Track and organize real estate documents, agreements, and deadlines
• Interface with internal stakeholders, including facilities management, capital planning, and university leadership
• Collaborate with the University Real Estate Office and Michigan Medicine Facilities team to facilitate alignment between legal and operational priorities
• Assist with periodic audits and compliance matters related to real estate holdings and agreements
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by supervising attorneys, including general transactional work

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-accredited program.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a paralegal, preferably in a law firm or in-house legal department, with real estate experience.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and drafting commercial leases and related real estate documents.
• Familiarity with title and survey review processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and document management software.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a real estate paralegal.
• Experience in a university, hospital, or public sector setting.
• Knowledge of higher education and healthcare real estate issues.
• Familiarity with real estate transaction management systems and tools (e.g., Dealpath, VTS, or similar).

In addition to the above, qualified applicants will be evaluated for the following skills, experiences, and attributes:

• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex, time-sensitive assignments simultaneously with a high degree of organization and effectiveness.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity.
• Good judgment and creative, practical problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills, collegiality, and a willingness to go the extra mile to support colleagues.

Why Work at Michigan?

Salary is commensurate with experience and is competitive with other similarly situated institutions of higher education. The incumbent will be eligible for the University's generous benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and 2:1 retirement contribution matching, among others.

OGC members work in a hybrid manner, with at least three in-office days per week. In-office work typically takes place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, widely considered to be one of the best places to live in America. Ann Arbor's entertainment and dining options are on par with a much larger city's, as is its public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure; the public and private schools are award-winning; there is a robust tech sector, fueled in part by the University's research apparatus; and it is also located under 30 minutes by car to a large international airport, 45 minutes to historic Detroit, and four hours to Chicago, Toronto, or to the Mackinac Bridge, the gateway to the Upper Peninsula's picturesque lakes and forests.

Modes of Work

The work requirements allow both onsite and offsite work and an employee has an expected recurring onsite presence. On occasion, the employee may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by unit leadership or their designee and/or the job requirements.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.