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Senior Paralegal

How to Apply

To apply, please prepare, in .pdf format, a resume and a cover letter addressed to the Vice President and General Counsel that describes both your interest in the position and a personal experience that demonstrates how you have one of the skills, experiences, or attributes described above. Cover letters should be single-spaced, not exceed 500 words, and be in 12-point Times New Roman font. Submit your resume and cover letter along with your completed application via the University's online hiring portal at https://careers.umich.edu.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan (University) Office of the Vice President and General Counsel (OGC) seeks to add to its already excellent team, an outstanding paralegal with expertise in real estate.

A successful candidate must be able to provide critical assistance to the University's attorneys and work closely with the University Real Estate Office on legal matters involving property leasing, licensing, acquisitions, related due diligence, and transactional work, more generally. In this dynamic and fast-paced workplace, the candidate should be enthusiastic about taking a client-centered, business-oriented, collegial approach to representing a world-class public research institution. This role is essential to advancing the University's dynamic and expanding real estate portfolio across education, healthcare, and research missions.

Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan is one of the world's premier academic institutions and boasts a top tier health system, inclusive of a world-renowned academic medical center and a network of hospitals and clinics spanning the state of Michigan. OGC represents and advises the entire University community, including the Board of Regents, the President, the Executive Officers, Michigan Medicine, the schools and colleges on all three campuses, and the University's regional medical centers. We are in the service business. We help our clients fulfill their educational, research, clinical, and entrepreneurial missions in accord with the myriad legal and policy requirements applicable to public research universities and to health delivery systems. We are subject matter experts- both within the University and with our peers across the country- and problem solvers committed to helping our clients achieve their goals in a creative, practical, and timely manner. We are often on the cutting-edge of legal issues across the higher education and healthcare sectors.

Responsibilities*

+ Review, draft, and negotiate various real estate agreements, including:

+ Commercial and institutional leases (both landlord and tenant sides)

+ Property license and access/use agreements

+ Lease amendments, subleases, tenant estoppels, and SNDAs (Subordination, Non-Disturbance, and Attornment Agreements)

+ Support real estate acquisitions by:

+ Reviewing due diligence materials, including title commitments, title exceptions, and surveys

+ Coordinating with title companies, surveyors, and other external parties

+ Assisting in preparation of closing checklists, closing binders, and transactional documents

+ Conduct legal and factual research related to real estate laws, zoning, land use, and other regulatory issues.

+ Develop and update real estate legal document templates.

+ Track and organize real estate documents, agreements, and deadlines.

+ Interface with internal stakeholders, including facilities management, capital planning, and university leadership.

+ Liaise with the University Real Estate Office and Michigan Medicine Facilities team to facilitate alignment between legal and operational priorities.

+ Assist with periodic audits and compliance matters related to real estate holdings and agreements.

+ Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by supervising attorneys, including general transactional work.

Required Qualifications*

+ Associate's degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-accredited program.

+ Minimum of 5 years of experience as a real estate paralegal, preferably in a law firm or in-house legal department.

+ Demonstrated experience reviewing and drafting commercial leases and related real estate documents.

+ Familiarity with title and survey review processes.

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office and document management software.

Desired Qualifications*

+ Bachelor's degree in a related field.

+ Experience in a university, hospital, or public sector setting.

+ Knowledge of higher education and healthcare real estate issues.

+ Familiarity with real estate transaction management systems and tools (e.g., Dealpath, VTS, or similar).

In addition to the above, qualified applicants will be evaluated for the following skills, experiences, and attributes:

+ Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail

+ Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

+ Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex, time-sensitive assignments simultaneously with a high degree of organization and effectiveness.

+ High degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity

+ Good judgment and creative, practical problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

OGC attorneys are able to work in a hybrid manner, with at least three in-office days per week. In-office work typically takes place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, widely considered to be one of the best places to live in America. Ann Arbor's entertainment and dining options are on par with a much larger city's, as is its public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure; the public and private schools are award-winning; there is a robust tech sector, fueled in part by the University's research apparatus; and it is also located under 30 minutes by car to a large international airport, 45 minutes to historic Detroit, and four hours to Chicago, Toronto, or to the Mackinac Bridge, the gateway to the Upper Peninsula's picturesque lakes and forests.

Additional Information

Salary:

Salary is commensurate with experience and is competitive with other similarly situated institutions of higher education. The incumbent will be eligible for the University's generous benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and 2:1 retirement contribution matching, among others.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

268928

Working Title

Senior Paralegal

Job Title

Paralegal/Legal Assistant Sr

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Nonexempt

Organizational Group

Offc Gen Counsel

Department

Office of the General Counsel

Posting Begin/End Date

9/26/2025 - 10/26/2025

Career Interest

Legal & Government Relations