Paralegal - Real Estate

Varnum LLP, a Michigan-based, full-service business law firm with over 200 attorneys and six offices, has a full-time opening for an experienced Paralegal working with the Real Estate Practice Team. This role is based in our Naples, FL office, with the option to work remotely.

The Real Estate Paralegal provides comprehensive support for title survey review work and condominium/homeowners association (HOA) matters. The ideal candidate will have strong technical skills in reviewing title commitments and survey documents, as well as substantive knowledge of condominium and HOA governance, formation, and compliance issues. This role requires close collaboration with attorneys, clients, title companies, surveyors, and property managers to support commercial and residential real estate transactions.

Key Responsibilities:

Title and Survey Work

• Review title commitments, title insurance policies, and underlying exception documents to identify liens, easements, encroachments, and other title defects.
• Analyze ALTA/NSPS land title surveys and coordinate with surveyors to resolve discrepancies between survey depictions and title exceptions.
• Prepare title objection letters and track resolution of title curative items through closing.
• Order and review updated title searches, surveys, and UCC searches as needed.
• Maintain title and survey checklists and closing binders for each transaction.
• Coordinate with title companies and escrow agents regarding endorsements, pro forma policies, and closing requirements.

Condominium/HOA Work

• Draft and review condominium declarations, bylaws, and amendments in connection with administration of condominiums and HOAs.
• Prepare meeting packages, agendas, voting documents, and documents required for condominium/HOA registration and compliance with applicable state statutes.
• Review, format, edit and record condominium and HOA governing documents, board resolutions, and meeting minutes for due diligence purposes.
• Track compliance deadlines related to condominium/HOA filings and recorded covenants.
• Coordinate with property management companies and HOA boards to obtain necessary documentation and approvals.
• Draft violation notices and pre-litigation demand letters on behalf of condominium and HOA boards.
• Track compliance with the management company regarding outstanding violations and enforcement matters.
• Review delinquent condominium and HOA ledgers and facilitate collection of unpaid assessments.

General Real Estate Support

• Assist attorneys with due diligence review for acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and leasing transactions.
• Prepare closing documents, deeds, and ancillary transaction documents.
• Coordinate the recording of deeds, mortgages, and other instruments with the appropriate recording offices.
• Maintain organized transaction files and ensure accurate tracking of deadlines and deliverables.
• Communicate directly with clients, opposing counsel, and third parties as needed to move transactions forward.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or paralegal certificate preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience as a real estate paralegal.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with legal document management systems and standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with title companies, surveyors, and property management companies.
• Familiarity with document automation or closing software used in real estate transactions.
• Prior experience in a law firm or in-house real estate legal department.

Job ID: 276