Summary
The Paralegal / Legal Administrative Assistant is an integral member of the Kent Companies legal team, providing direct legal and administrative support to the General Counsel. The role also involves close collaboration with the Contracts Manager to help carry out departmental goals, while maintaining an independent reporting line to the General Counsel. Successful candidates will be strong communicators, highly organized, self-motivated, and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Primary responsibilities include legal research and document preparation, support for corporate compliance efforts, lien and contract documentation, lease administration, and managing the General Counsel’s calendar and appointments for legal matters, along with general administrative support as needed. The Paralegal / Legal Administrative Assistant will also coordinate with the Contracts Manager and other departments to support company-wide legal and operational processes.  The responsibilities of this newly created position may change over time based on experience and to meet the evolving needs of the legal department and the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administrative Support:
  • Manage calendars and meeting scheduling for legal matters, and correspondence for the General Counsel.
  • Assist with the preparation of legal summaries, reports, and internal documentation.
  • Help coordinate legal-related tasks with other departments (e.g., operations, accounting).
  • Coordinate and prepare materials for meetings, presentations, and reports.
• Legal and Compliance Support:
  • Prepare, review, and format standard legal and business documents including contracts, master agreements, subcontracts, and non-disclosure agreements.
  • Perform UCC lien searches, file UCC financing statements, amendments, and terminations.
  • Verify the identity, legal existence, and good standing of contract counterparties, including entities organized in various U.S. jurisdictions.
  • Track lien documentation (preliminary notices, notices of furnishing, lien waivers, deadlines) across projects.
  • Assist with filing annual reports, maintenance of foreign entity qualification, and assumed name certificates, license renewals, and other business filings in various U.S. jurisdictions.
  • Assist with maintaining corporate governance requirements, including preparation of annual and special shareholder and director resolutions, upkeep of corporate records, and coordination of related filings across various U.S. jurisdictions.
  • Maintain legal files and digital document organization systems.
  • Support insurance claim documentation, dispute tracking, and litigation prep, if needed.
  • Assist in broader legal risk management as company operations evolve.
• Contract Coordination:  Collaborate with the Contracts Manager to support contract review workflows. Assist the General Counsel and, if needed, the Contracts Manager by tracking internal requests for legal review and contract execution status. 
• Real Estate & Lease Administration
  • Maintain lease records and abstracts for all company-leased offices, shops, and warehouses.
  • Track key lease milestones (renewal, termination, notice deadlines).
  • Support lease-related correspondence and file management.
• Project Management:
  • Assist in managing special legal projects and tracking key initiatives and high-priority projects.
  • Track deadlines, deliverables, and progress to ensure timely objectives are met.
  • Conduct research and gather data to support decision-making and presentations.
• Confidentiality:
  • Handle confidential information with discretion and ensure sensitive matters are appropriately managed.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties and Responsibilities are not comprehensive and can be changed at any time, with or without notice.

Required Experience, Education, and Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required; paralegal certificate or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of legal, contract, or administrative experience.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with discretion and accuracy.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and legal document management software with the ability to transcribe legal documents, correspondence, and reports from rough draft, dictation, or transcription.
• Proficient in Adobe Acrobat Pro, including document editing, form creation, and redlining.
• Experience managing digital file systems and working across departments.
• Comfortable handling confidential materials and coordinating with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Valid driver’s license
• Must have reliable transportation to the workplace(s)/ job location(s). 
• Ability to successfully pass a background check related to driving 
• Ability to pass drug screening.
• Must be able to work in the United States without corporate sponsorship now and in the future.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in the construction industry, or in lieu, experience in corporate law.
• Experience with construction contracts, lien laws, and master service agreements.

Work Environment/Physical Demand

• This position will work primarily in office environments, which are fast-paced, high-pressure environments with frequent deadlines.
• Occasional travel and after-hours work may be required to meet team needs and extended periods of sitting and standing.

Position type, Travel and expected Hours of Work

• This is a full-time office position.
• Candidates can expect occasional travel.
• Typical hours will range from 45-50 hours per week and are subject to change. This role requires working nontypical days and irregular hours based on construction schedules. Due to the critical nature of the role, accepting and responding to phone calls, text messages, and email communications—even during non-typical workdays and hours—is necessary.

Office Location
130 60th Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548

Benefits
Kent Companies provides its employees with one of the most competitive compensation and benefits packages in the construction industry. Benefits vary by location, with a fully customized benefits package presented upon hire. Typical benefits packages include:

• Weekly pay
• PTO (Paid Time Off)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plans with discretionary employer-matching
• Holiday pay (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day)
• Scholarship opportunities for dependents
• Leadership development opportunities

Perks associated with this role
Our goal is to offer an unparalleled career progression that is not precisely pre-determined; rather it builds on the teammate’s strengths, interests, and pursuits as the individual gains experience, grows, and develops in their career. You would be hard-pressed to find another ENR Top 6 Commercial Concrete Company that parallels Kent Companies.

About Kent Companies
Kent Companies is a full-service specialty trade contractor with operations across Michigan, Texas, Ohio, and the Carolinas. As a third-generation, family-owned business, we believe our people are our greatest assets. We employ over 2,000 trade professionals nationwide and deliver every project with our Four Hallmarks: Safety, Productivity, Quality, and Customer Service. Kent Companies is known as The Leaders in Concrete™ and continuously ranks in the Top 10 Concrete Contractors nationwide by ENR Magazine.

Kent Companies’ family of brands includes Kent Concrete, Kent Underlayments, Kent Facilities, Kent Foundation Solutions, and Foundation Rescue Supply.

EEO Statement
At Kent Companies, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Kent Companies’ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices and personnel actions, including but not limited to hiring, recruiting, promotions, performance evaluations, termination, and compensation decisions. 

The Company will strive to ensure that all employees and prospective employees will be treated equally in regard to recruitment, employment, promotions, demotions, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training, leaves of absence, and layoffs. The Company will further ensure that its management staff is aware of the Company’s commitment to this policy and each member understands their individual role in the process of administering this plan.

Kent Companies will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.