Department: Administrative
Location: Belmont, North Carolina
Reports to: Director of Administrative Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Apply to: Jenn Hardin jhardin@sistersofmercy.org
Telecommute Eligibility:
This position has the option to telecommute.
Job Purpose:
The corporate paralegal (‘paralegal’) will assist the organization with
legal and corporate-related matters at the direction of the Institute Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and various Senior Executives/Directors (hereafter “leadership”) of the organization. The position will liaise to SMA’s general counsel to advance corporate legal initiatives. The paralegal will also resource the directors and trustees of SMA’s related civil corporations and trusts.
Sustained and inspired by their relationship with God and one another, the mission of the Sisters of Mercy is to respond with vision and compassion to the needs of people who are poor, sick, and uneducated. This mission serves as a motivational force in the day-to-day activities of the employees of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and as we extend compassion and mercy to others, practice and encourage social justice, and strive to live mercifully.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Reviews contracts and agreements for the organization.
- Organizes and tracks contracts, agreements, committals, risk documents and obligation records.
- Maintains files related to legal, real estate and other important business transactions.
- Manages contract database, setting access levels, levels of authority, and training users.
- In collaboration with company attorneys, develops templates and approval process flows.
- Assists with real estate transactions and closings.
- Manages legal billing from all related law firms in terms of organization, accounting, approval, and processing.
- Participates in the development of corporate policies, procedures, and programs.
- Maintains corporate records for SMA’s corporations and trusts according to statutory requirements and fundamental best practices.
- Assists with real estate transactions and closings.
- Handles annual filings with the Official Catholic Directory for the Institute’s civil corporations, ministries, and trusts to ensure inclusion in the USCCB group ruling for tax exemption.
Qualifications:
Education, Competencies and Experience
Required
- Associate degree in paralegal studies or successful completion of an ABA accredited program of education for legal assistant, at a minimum, or other relevant education with a minimum 5 years’ experience in a legal environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
- Knowledge of and proficiency in the principles and procedures of legal research.
- Ability to analyze, abstract, and summarize facts and information, including complex contracts and other documents.
- Experience in managing databases, record systems, and large file transfers
- Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills, both written and oral.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
- Proficiency in computer skills and relevant software; excellent typing skills with attention to accuracy and details.
- Ability to travel, as required.
- Licensed notary public.
Preferred Qualifications
- BA/BS or higher degree from a state or nationally accredited four-year institution of higher education.
- Experience in a non-profit environment.
- Experience in contract law and real estate.
- Knowledge of legal concepts and procedures in several practice areas, particularly those that are relevant to a religious not-for-profit.
- Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations Willingness to consider the advice and opinions of others
Please send your resume to Jenn Hardin at jhardin@sistersofmercy.org.