Paralegal
Houston, TX
In the role of Paralegal, you will provide legal and administrative support to energyRe’s Legal Department, with a focus on corporate entity management, real estate and commercial transactions. The Paralegal will report to the Corporate Governance and Contractual Compliance Manager and work closely with attorneys and other stakeholders inside and outside of the company. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Key Job Responsibilities
Corporate
- Provide corporate entity management and compliance for all corporate entities in the U.S., with supervision.
- Assist with the preparation of annual reports and filings for various state and federal regulatory agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and state tax authorities.
- Ensure corporate filings are completed in a timely manner and entities stay in good standing.
- Draft FinCEN filings and assist with compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act.
- Assist with the formation or dissolution of corporate entities, including drafting of documents and filing with relevant state and federal agencies.
- Maintain and update the company’s corporate entity databases and files (in Box, Smartsheet, and CSCNavigator), including entity minute books and accurate records of ownership and subsidiary relationships.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders, including the Finance and Accounting teams, to ensure accurate and timely reporting of corporate entity information.
Real Estate
- Draft day to day real estate agreements, with supervision (e.g. Lease Assignment, Lease Amendment, Lease Termination, Notices; No Planting Agreement, Information Requests, etc.)
- Insert Legal Description and exhibits in Lease Documents (leases, amendments, Lease estoppels, etc.)
- Conduct initial title ownership searches
- With supervision, draft Title Memos for lenders/buyers after reviewing initial title work provided by the Title Insurance company and discussing title defects with the supervising attorney;
- Track title defects and efforts to address such defects
- Draft Same Name Affidavits, and other templated title defect documents (such as SNDA’s and Satisfaction Notices) to address defects
- Obtain missing or referenced documents not provided by the title abstractor
- Assist with identifying and addressing inconsistencies between the title commitments and the survey
- Initiate title commitment requests and bring-downs, as needed, providing applicable site details and documents.
General
- Support contract negotiations with suppliers and other service providers, in consultation with the technical and legal teams, with supervision.
- Prepare and review day to day legal documents such as board consents, certificates, and confidentiality agreements, consulting agreements and engagement letters, with attorney supervision
- Support the legal team by handling requests for information or documentation, as well as with contract execution.
- Track pending claims, lawsuits and litigation filings
- Track legal invoices in Brightflag (or other invoice system) and ensure attorneys are approving invoices in a timely fashion.
- Assist legal team with transaction closings (such as creating checklists, ordering UCC or lien searches, certificates of good standing, compiling exhibits, updating internal trackers, etc.)
- Assist with legal research as requested
- Successfully complete special projects and other assignments as requested
- Provide support for other legal matters, as needed
Requirements
Education
- Associates degree, paralegal certificate, or equivalent.
Experience
- 3+ years of experience working in a corporate legal environment, with a focus on corporate entity management.
- Experience in renewable energy a plus.
- Experience with entity formation and maintenance, including drafting of formation documents, filing with state and federal agencies, and maintaining accurate corporate records.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external partners, including legal counsel and regulatory agencies.
Other Skills
- Experience with e-billing, matter management systems and setting up vendors in payment system.
- Notary.
- Demonstrated high level of initiative and independence.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt readily to the needs of diverse work groups and remain calm under pressure.
- Must possess the ability to maintain the upmost confidentiality and adapt to changing needs and deadlines.
- Ability to effectively communicate (oral and written) at all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to multi-task, anticipate needs and requirements, and follow through on commitments.
- Ability to problem solve and use good judgement in making sound decisions quickly.
Physical Requirements
The Paralegal may be required to endure the following physical activities, environmental conditions, and physical demands:
- Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces,
- Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods,
- Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another,
- Adjusting or moving objects up to 20 pounds in all directions,
- Communicating with others to exchange information,
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers, and
- Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
