COMPANY SUMMARY
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observatory that was declared the #1 Attraction in the World – and the #1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third consecutive year – in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is the recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of September 30, 2024, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.7 million rentable square feet of retail space and 732 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.
The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Real Estate Paralegal will work directly with and support the Chief Counsel, Real Estate and Real Estate Litigation Counsel, in handling a variety of real estate matters for ESRT, including transaction and litigation documents and written and oral communication with other departments within the company, ESRT’s external counsel, tenant’s and counterparty’s counsel, and government agencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES- Review leases to assess landlord and tenant rights, remedies and/or obligations and confirm economic terms
- Coordinate document signing process and obtain internal approvals from other departments within the company
- Draft basic legal documents related to leasing, commercial real estate and collections matters
- Review and approve “draft” and final LOC security deposits and related lease provisions
- Track, support and report action for internal and external counsel on leasing matters, construction related matters, real estate transactions (e.g., acquisitions, financings, etc.), litigation and collections, and insurance and property tax
- Summarize leases regarding, economic term, landlord and tenant rights, remedies and/or obligations
- Communicate with tenants as needed
- Coordinate the lease signing process, sublease consent process, and related approvals from other departments within the company
- Coordinate procurement of lender approval of leases and SNDA’s where required
- Update standard operating procedures for all leasing related activities
- Track collections and litigation deadlines
- Monitor status of disputes with tenants
- Manage deadlines and provide status of all matters as requested
- Organize/file legal documents
- All other legal related tasks requested by the Chief Counsel, Real Estate and Real Estate Litigation Counsel
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE- Is detail oriented and able to manage high volume of matters with accuracy and efficiency
- Possesses strong organizational and communication skills
- Has knowledge of real estate law and procedures
- Eager to learn new matters and values importance of learning and improving, as well as recognizing importance of procedural and administrative tasks
- Displays flexible approach to problem-solving
- Positive attitude and willingness to follow guidelines and protocols
- Takes ownership of work
- Shows high level of professionalism and respect to colleagues
- Ability to work collaboratively with multiple parties, including attorneys, real estate brokers and tenants
REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES- Must be able to work in fast-paced environment with accuracy
- Organizational and analytical skills, with a customer service orientation
- Detail-oriented with an ingrained dedication to integrity of work product
- Enthusiastic with positive attitude
- Takes initiative to identify issues and problem solve
- Good time management skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects
- Works efficiently and independently
- Maintains professionalism in workplace
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
- Commitment to personal growth
- Grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills
- Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Willing to work after normal business hours when necessary
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Five (5)+ years’ legal experience in real estate
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT- At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a richly diverse work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. By focusing on inclusion and celebrating our differences, we create even greater value — in business practices, relationships, and employee engagement. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees can thrive. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors:
- Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
- Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
- Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
- Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
- Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
- Ethical – you treat others with respect, and embrace and contribute to a culture of diversity and inclusion
- Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through
BENEFITS- Competitive base salary and bonus
- Health/Dental/Vision insurance
- Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance
- Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program
- Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs
- 401(k) with 100% match up to 5%
- Paid parental leave
- Pre-tax transit accounts
- Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support
WELL-BEING- Generous paid time off
- Flex remote work time
- Flex Summer Fridays
- Employee engagement programs
- Volunteer time off
- Continuing education
- Complimentary Empire State Building Observatory access
- Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits
- Employee Discount Programs
$100,000 - $130,000 a year
Salary is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, job location, size of property where applicable, and/or certifications. In addition to your base salary, ESRT provides discretionary annual bonuses.
ESRT is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities