The Senior Corporate Paralegal is a key member of Hillspire’s Corporate Compliance and Paralegal Operations team, reporting to the Senior Director, Corporate Compliance and Paralegal Operations. This role focuses on entity formation, corporate governance, compliance, legal research, due diligence, and transactional support, while also driving process improvements to enhance operational efficiency. The Senior Corporate Paralegal will be expected to exercise sound judgment and discretion while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including legal, tax, investment, and other strategic partners to support a broad range of legal, corporate, non-profit, tax, investment, and real estate matters across the organization. The Senior Corporate Paralegal plays a strategic role in supporting and influencing the organization’s business operations. This role involves handling critical assignments with significant financial and operational impact, providing expert advice and consultation to management, and participating in planning short- and long-term organizational objectives. The individual is expected to exercise independent judgment, including making exceptions to established procedures when appropriate, and has the authority to negotiate and commit the organization on important matters in collaboration with leadership.
The responsibilities below reflect both strategic and operational contributions that significantly impact Hillspire’s legal and business operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Draft documents for the formation of new corporate entities, including operating agreements, written consents for appointing or removing authorized signatories, and foreign qualifications.
- Support legal and tax with corporate restructurings, conversions, mergers and other transactions as needed.
- Maintain and update corporate structure charts, virtual minute books, and entity records in the Optimized Entity Management System (EMS).
- Oversee and coordinate governmental and regulatory filings, including annual reports and Corporate Transparency Act filings (CTA).
- Prepare, maintain, and track subscription agreements, financing documents, amendments, and consents for investment transactions.
- Lead and independently manage complex legal and compliance matters that are crucial to the organization's operations and reputation.
- Provide expert-level advice and consultation to internal stakeholders and executive leadership, particularly on high-stakes or time-sensitive issues.
- Represent Hillspire in addressing significant issues on behalf of management, including responding to external inquiries, resolving internal governance concerns, and ensuring operational continuity.
- Act as a primary escalation point for complex or non-standard legal and operational issues, with the authority to interpret and, where appropriate, deviate from established policies or procedures.
- Work closely with leadership to support negotiation and organizational commitment on matters with substantial financial or regulatory implications, in alignment with leadership direction.
- Participate in strategic planning activities and business decision-making processes that impact long-term organizational direction.
- Assist with due diligence and documentation for investment transactions, including reviewing subscription agreements and preparing officer and incumbency certificates.
- Manage and maintain cap tables for relevant entities.
- Attend to anti-money laundering (AML) and Know-Your-client Compliance (KYC) requests and annual disclosure reports affecting principals.
- Identify and proactively address confidentiality risks.
- Prepare and file tax documents such as Form SS-4, 8832, W-9, FATCA-related reports, and FIRPTA certificates.
- Prepare and manage business license applications and renewals to ensure compliance.
- Collaborate with legal, tax, real estate, accounting and HR on various projects.
- Conduct legal, tax, and compliance research as needed.
- Review corporate invoices and coordinate payments with account controllers.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in handling complex and confidential matters.
- Mentor and train paralegal operations team members on corporate governance matters.
- Other duties as assigned.
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Paralegal certification required.
- Minimum 8 years of experience as a corporate paralegal.
- Experience in a top-tier law firm is strongly preferred.
Key Skills & Attributes
- Highly organized systems thinker with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse internal and external audiences.
- Unwavering commitment to confidentiality, discretion, and ethical integrity.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing priorities efficiently.
- Problem-solving mindset with a proactive and adaptable approach to ambiguity and change management.
- Tech-savvy, with experience in systems and the ability to quickly adapt to new tools.
- Proficient in GSuite, DocuSign, Zoom, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
- Strong project management experience, particularly in leading cross-functional initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
$120,000 - $165,000 a year
Why Join Hillspire?
This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment supporting a mission-driven organization. As part of a high-performing team, you will play a vital role in streamlining processes, ensuring compliance, and enhancing governance structures while collaborating with talented professionals across multiple disciplines.
If you are a detail-oriented, strategic thinker with a passion for contract management, legal compliance, and operational excellence, we encourage you to apply!
This is an exempt position.