[Hiring] Paralegal, Real Estate Transactional @Dentons

Role Description

This is a great opportunity to join a growing team that is integral to the firm's strategy, whilst benefiting from being able to work virtually and flexibly. We welcome applications from across the UK for those seeking an alternative experience.

We are looking for an experienced, highly organised and proactive commercial real estate paralegal who is comfortable taking ownership of suitable matters and workstreams, working directly with clients and driving matters forward under appropriate supervision, to join our LDC's Real Estate Transactional team.

The Real Estate Transactional team is a dedicated resource supporting teams across the Real Estate Division and our Dentons Helix team (Dentons' innovative Managed Legal Service division). The successful candidate would be working closely with our team of Helix Property lawyers to support work on two to three of our key Property clients.

The role offers the opportunity to develop close working relationships with our client teams and to operate as a true extension of those teams. The role combines commercial real estate work with the structured, technology-enabled delivery model used by Dentons Helix.

While this is a virtual role with no expectation or requirement that you attend any of our office locations, for those who would like to experience the office environment and meet our hybrid teams, there is the opportunity to attend our offices.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of commercial real estate matters and workstreams, under appropriate supervision.
• Draft, review and progress real estate documentation, including leases, licences to alter and to assign, and other estate management documentation.
• Support more complex matters, including preparing reports on title, reviewing replies to enquiries, analysing search results and undertaking due diligence.
• Proactively manage next steps, deadlines and outstanding actions, including coordinating and chasing input from clients, counterparties and other stakeholders.
• Identify legal, commercial or practical issues and escalate these promptly to the supervising lawyer where appropriate.
• Manage signing and completion processes, including completion of counterparts, and undertake post-completion work such as SDLT returns, Land Registry applications and dealing with requisitions.
• Maintain strong matter discipline, including accurate matter tracking, file management, status reporting and financial hygiene.
• Build effective day-to-day working relationships with clients and operate as an extension of their internal teams.
• Work closely with the Helix Property lawyers, the project management team and the wider Real Estate Transactional team to deliver a responsive and consistent service.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of precedents, playbooks, trackers and other client know-how.
• Use technology, including workflow tools and AI, to improve the efficiency, consistency and quality of legal delivery.
• Support wider real estate projects and transactions as required, including due diligence and post-completion work.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years' relevant commercial real estate experience, with strong landlord and tenant experience; experience of retail, multi-site or portfolio work would be advantageous.
• Minimum of three A levels at grade B, or equivalent.
• A qualification in law (degree or Graduate Diploma in Law) is advantageous.
• LPC, or equivalent (helpful but not essential).
• Experience of managing suitable real estate matters through their lifecycle, including exchange, completion and post-completion, with appropriate supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Strong drafting and title investigation skills.
• A proactive approach to matter management, with the ability to identify next steps and keep matters moving without needing to be prompted at each stage.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a high volume of matters and competing deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and a disciplined approach to matter tracking, file management and reporting.
• Good judgement as to when a matter can be progressed independently and when legal or commercial issues should be escalated.
• Confidence communicating directly with clients, counterparties and other stakeholders.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach and willingness to get involved in both the legal and administrative aspects of delivering a matter.
• Confidence using technology and an interest in using legal technology, workflow tools and AI to improve delivery.
• A collaborative, personable and dependable working style, particularly within a remote team.

Company Description

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you.