Open Positions: Professional Staff

The Legal Assistant will support attorneys in our Real Estate Practice Group by providing information management, administrative, and client service support. This role enhances attorney effectiveness by coordinating communications, managing documents, and ensuring smooth workflow. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of relevant legal processes (or a strong willingness to learn), demonstrate initiative, follow through on assignments, and possess excellent attention to detail, organizational, and technical skills. (Minimum  of 4 years of legal and executive administrative experience within the real estate area)

This role offers the opportunity to work from a remote location on days when in-person attendance is not required, and as agreed upon by the direct supervisor. It is an essential function of this role that the employee be available to work in-person in the Los Angeles office one or more days per week.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Provides highly technical document production, including but not limited to typing, drafting, formatting, editing documents, and redlining documents.
• Experienced and knowledgeable about various loan documents about commercial real estate finance loans, such as Term Sheets, Loan Agreements, Deeds of Trust/Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Guaranties, UCC Filings, Loan Policy of Title Insurance, Surveys, SNDAs, Purchase and Sale Agreements, etc.
• Review and format final drafts of loan documents to ensure accuracy with signature blocks, dates, parties, addresses, entity names, and any other relevant information as requested by the attorney.
• Prepare signature packages and signing instructions to signatories; review the package to ensure signature blocks are accurate, and review all incoming original documents to ensure all required original documents are provided before the closing date.
• Prepare closing binders and coordinate document delivery to the attorney and to outside parties.
• Exceptional attention to detail and thoroughness in performing diligence on real estate and financing transactions.
• Maintain files and all client documentation, with follow-up on any pending post-closing tasks to ensure all loan matters are finalized.
• Proofread legal documents to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Manage the attorney’s calendar, schedule meetings, resolve conflicts, and open client matters.
• Work closely with attorneys to resolve a variety of day-to-day issues and support a broad range of commercial real estate transactions and projects.
• Manage arrangements for marketing opportunities, including conferences and travel.
• Prepare expense reports for reimbursement and submit invoices.
• Coordinate with the secretarial team, arrange coverage, and ensure that attorneys have the necessary support.

Required Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of legal or executive administrative experience, preferably within the real estate area.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe, AIR, and CAR forms and legal technology platforms, such as document management systems, e-filing platforms, and billing software.
• Be independent, have a can-do spirit, and be able to manage multiple projects and tasks at a time.
• Take initiative, have excellent follow-through, and enjoy learning and being challenged.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities, tasks, and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain flexibility regarding work assignments.
• Ability to work well with others, is collaborative, enjoys variety, and must thrive on the challenge of helping others to complete projects as a team.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication with strong attention to detail.

Salary

Hanson Bridgett offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The annual salary for this California-based role is anticipated to be in the area of $80,000.00 – $95,000.00, and represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation is negotiable and will depend upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.

This position supports the firm’s Private Client Services Section, providing support to attorneys and clients related to tax election filings and other tax-related matters at the federal, state, local, and international levels. The individual is responsible for preparing and filing various tax forms with the IRS, maintaining client communications, and ensuring compliance with filing deadlines. This role also involves collaborating with attorneys, clients, and government agencies. (5+ years of experience)

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Prepare, file, and track various IRS tax election forms, including Section 83(b), Forms 8832, 8875, 2553, 1023, and SS-4 to obtain EINs.
• Communicate with the IRS, clients, attorneys, and other agencies regarding tax filings.
• Compile, distribute, and track documents for signatures, maintain original records, and oversee document distribution.
• Collaborate with tax group section members and various practice groups to provide support.
• Identify and resolve issues related to tax filings, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Conduct legal research on federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations.
• Monitor deadlines and ensure timely filing of tax documents and legal submissions.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Handle formation of new entities and basic organizational documents, including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, for profit benefit corporations and non-profits in Delaware and California.
• Order certified copies and good standing certificates; handle electronic distribution, collection and assembly of signature pages, agreements and original certificates (e.g. notice of issuance/stock certificates); and provide other general support.
• Assist clients with all aspects of reviving suspended, forfeited or revoked entities, including communication and coordination with Franchise Tax Board, Attorney General's Office, Secretary of State and accounting firms.
• Perform general corporate housekeeping tasks, including drafting minutes, resolutions, and consents; issuing stock certificates; compiling and maintaining minute books, stock ledgers and cap tables; qualifying corporations in foreign jurisdictions; completing and filing Forms SS-4 to obtain EINs, as well as completing and filing Fictitious Business Name Statements with the appropriate County Clerk's Office.
• Interface with corporate service providers, including statutory registered agent services and notaries.

Required Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 5+ years of paralegal experience in a law firm and/or an established multinational company.
• Strong knowledge of tax regulations and procedures in California and at the federal level.
• Experience with Carta, Excel, EDGAR, and tax law research tools (BNA, Checkpoint, VitalLaw/Wolters Kluwer)
• Proficiency in legal research tools and government databases.
• Strong interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• High level of professionalism, with strong organizational skills and responsiveness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and legal case management software.

Salary

Hanson Bridgett offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The annual salary for this California-based role is anticipated to be in the range of $105,000 to $130,000, and represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation is negotiable and will depend upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.