Business Paralegal

Opportunity Description:

This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in Sonoma County! Regular winner of "Best Places to Work," O'Brien Watters & Davis LLP is looking for a Paralegal to support our business and real estate department. Come join our team in Santa Rosa!

The role is centered on entity practice (formation, compliance, and dissolution of LLCs, Corporations, Partnerships and Nonprofits) and business transactions, including business sales. Commercial real estate transactions and leases make up a portion of the work as well. Familiarity with real property tax issues, titling, and recorder practice is important. Trust administration experience is a plus. The ideal candidate will have at least three years of relevant paralegal experience, though we would welcome applications from candidates with less experience who are otherwise a strong fit. This is a full-time position with the opportunity to work closely with our business department on a wide variety of client matters.

About Us:

Since its founding in 1982, O'Brien Watters & Davis, LLP has been committed to providing superior and effective legal services and high-quality representation for clients throughout California. Strongly rooted in Sonoma County, our firm has an excellent reputation in the community. For over 30 years, the firm has been rated "AV" in Martindale Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ and has had five of its former attorneys become judges, including on the Sonoma County Superior Court. We provide services to many industries, including the large Sonoma County wine and agricultural industries, manufacturing, high tech, service, and others.

Responsibilities:

Entity Formation, Governance, and Compliance

• Prepare formation documents for corporations (including nonprofit), limited liability companies, and partnerships, including articles of incorporation, articles of organization, operating agreements, bylaws, and partnership agreements.
• Prepare organizational resolutions, stock certificates, and initial governance records.
• Maintain corporate minute books, entity records, and annual compliance calendars
• Prepare annual meeting minutes, written consents, and other ongoing governance documents
• Prepare and file Statements of Information, annual reports, and other required filings with the California Secretary of State and other government agencies, such as fictitious business statements.
• Prepare and file entity dissolution and winding-up documents, including certificates of dissolution and final tax and regulatory filings

Business Transactions

• Assist with drafting and reviewing purchase and sale agreements for business assets, membership interests, and stock, including in connection with business sales
• Prepare due diligence checklists and organize due diligence materials for business acquisitions and sales
• Draft closing checklists, closing document sets, and bill of sale and assignment documents
• Assist with UCC filings and lien searches related to business financing

Commercial Real Estate

• Assist with drafting and reviewing commercial leases, lease amendments, and purchase and sale agreements
• Coordinate with title companies and escrow officers on titling issues and escrow instructions
• Assist with real property tax matters, including reviewing preliminary changes in ownership reports and coordinating filings with the county assessor
• Prepare documents for recording and coordinate filings with the county recorder

Trust Administration

• Assist with the preparation of trust transfer deeds, assignments, and distribution documents
• Coordinate with financial institutions, title companies, and beneficiaries during the administration process

General

• Correspond daily with clients, title companies, and government agencies
• Create and maintain client files and perform routine filing

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of paralegal experience preferred, primarily in entity formation and compliance and business transactions (including business sales); candidates with less experience but strong relevant skills are encouraged to apply
• Familiarity with commercial real estate transactions and leases
• Familiarity with real property tax issues, titling, and recorder practice
• Familiarity with case management software is a plus (Clio, Practice Panther)
• Experience with AI tools such as Claude or Microsoft Copilot a plus, but not required
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Access), Outlook, and Adobe
• Strong analytical, organizational, and drafting skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion
• Ability to work on site

Benefits:

• Health, dental, vision
• Income disability insurance coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Vacation time
• Personal holidays
• Sick time

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Industry: Law Practice

Employment Type: Full-time