TRANSACTIONAL LEGAL ASSISTANT or PARALEGAL

Background

Genesis LA was created in 1998 with a mission to provide capital and capacity to low-income neighborhoods as a means to facilitate high-impact real estate projects. Our mission is to deliver financial solutions that advance economic and social opportunities in underserved communities.  We make loans to a variety of borrowers and projects generally consisting of commercial or small business real estate, community facilities, and affordable housing located in low-income communities or serving low-income individuals in Los Angeles County. Genesis LA is certified by the U.S. Treasury Department as both a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a Community Development Entity (CDE). Through our $100 million on-balance sheet CDFI loan fund (the Genesis Community Investment Fund), we provide real estate loans to non-profits and developers generally ranging up to $6 million. As a CDE, we have been awarded $485 million of New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation, which has provided financing for larger scale real estate projects. Additionally, Genesis LA provides development services to potential borrowers and projects, providing additional capacity to ensure projects move forward.

Summary

The Transactional Legal Assistant or Paralegal will be responsible for assisting the General Counsel in loan closings, file management, corporate governance, and compliance matters. This position is part of Genesis LA’s 14-person team and will report to the General Counsel and will include frequent collaboration with the Lending Team and other staff. The ideal candidate will have experience with basic real estate law, loan documents, business entity documents, real estate lending, title and escrow.

Responsibilities

• Assist with first drafts of loan documents by analyzing various deal documentation such as borrower formation documents and preliminary title reports.
• Draft loan closing checklists and coordinate the closing process, including transaction tasks, parties, and key dates, and communicate progress to General Counsel and Lending Team.
• Assemble and circulate necessary documents for each transaction.
• Assist in real estate due diligence reviews (including title, survey, and zoning) for loans.
• Conduct due diligence searches.
• Prepare signature page documents and assemble fully executed copies.
• Coordinate recordings and file UCC Financing Statements.
• Format, type, revise and proofread legal documents, correspondence, and other documents under deadline pressure.
• Create and maintain loan files and other files.
• Post-closing file management.
• Maintain working knowledge of internal procedures and processes.
• Clerical duties including preparing letters, scanning and filing.
• Assisting in corporate governance matters, including taking corporate minutes, and preparing corporate resolutions.
• Assist in compliance matters including preparing drafts of reporting due to various governmental agencies and funders.

Requirements

• Completion of undergraduate college program and/or approximately 3-5 years of law firm experience, commercial real estate and/or commercial real estate lending.
• Certification as a paralegal or legal assistant from a program approved by the American Bar Association is desirable, though not required.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel) and Adobe Acrobat and intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Word.
• Must be able to multi-task, adapt to changes in schedule and workflow, and adjust priorities quickly.
• Knowledge of California real estate law, real estate loans, real estate transactions, business entities, and familiarity with related documents.
• Experience with and knowledge of the following is helpful, but not required:
  • Affordable housing
  • CDFI Loan Fund
  • Capital Magnet Fund Program
  • New Market Tax Credits
• Exceptional communications and writing skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple, disparate projects and priorities.
• Sound judgment.
• An ability to prepare and deliver information in a concise, professionally written format.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and take instruction.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community.

Compensation and Benefits

Genesis LA offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience.  The expected starting compensation range for this position is $38 – $45/hour, depending on experience. Genesis LA offers full medical, dental and vision benefits, a 401k retirement plan with generous matching terms, 12 paid holidays and 15 days of paid time off per year.

The position is based at Genesis LA’s corporate offices in Downtown Los Angeles.  Genesis LA is primarily an in-person business, with a policy for in-office attendance Monday through Thursday and the option to work from home on Fridays.  Management is open to accommodating additional flexibility when needed.  Genesis LA also fosters a culture of team building and bonding, with monthly social activities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should forward a resume and cover letter to Jessica Waybright, General Counsel at jwaybright@genesisla.org