Real Estate Paralegal (Orange County)

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, a global Am Law 50 firm, is seeking a Real Estate Paralegal to join our Orange County office.Sheppard is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Real Estate Paralegal to support attorneys in the Firm’s Real Estate practice group. This role supports complex commercial real estate matters – including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and leasing – and involves coordinating due diligence, managing closing processes, and working with clients, title companies, surveyors, and other transaction parties to ensure accurate and efficient execution.The Paralegal will assist with matter management and transaction organization, including opening and maintaining files, managing document repositories, and tracking transaction checklists, timelines, and overall matter status. The role includes coordinating due diligence by requesting, collecting, reviewing, and organizing diligence materials, maintaining trackers, and following up with clients and third parties as needed.Responsibilities also include ordering title and survey products, reviewing and summarizing title commitments and exceptions, tracking endorsements and survey matters, and coordinating resolution of title and survey issues with attorneys, title companies, surveyors, and other participants. The Paralegal will assist with the preparation and management of transaction documents, including ancillary closing documents, loan documents, and leases, and support the execution process by coordinating signature pages, exhibits, and document versions. Additional duties include assisting with UCC searches and filings, coordinating recording and filing, and obtaining confirmation of completion.The position also supports transaction closings by coordinating communications among attorneys, clients, lenders, title companies, and other parties; organizing closing deliverables; tracking satisfaction of closing conditions; and assisting with settlement statements and closing financial documentation. Post-closing responsibilities include coordinating recordings and filings, distributing executed and recorded documents, and organizing closing binders and related materials.This role requires the ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and calls for strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent communication skills, professionalism in client and team interactions, and the ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys and firm personnel at all levels.Essential Job FunctionsCommunicates regularly with the team. Double checks work product before presenting attorneys for review and again before sending or filing. Conduct 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.Required QualificationsA 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 ExperienceA high school diploma or equivalent is required, plus substantial and relevant work experience. A bachelor's degree or some college is preferred.License And CertificationAn ABA-approved paralegal certification is required.Computer/Software KnowledgeMust 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 EnvironmentWorking 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 RequirementsMinimal domestic travel may be required to other SMRH offices and trials, up to 10%.California: The pay range for this position is $51.00 to $76.00 per hour.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.