Corporate M&A Paralegal

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions Paralegal

Under the general direction of supervising attorney(s), the Paralegal Manager and according to established firm policies and procedures, the Corporate Department is seeking an experienced Paralegal to join its Merger & Acquisitions/Private Equity practice group. The position can be based out of the Firm’s Chicago, New York or Dallas offices. Paralegal is responsible for providing support and assistance to supervising attorneys in all aspects of general corporate transactions. Maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all clients and Firm matters.

Client billable hour requirement: 1,550 hours annually (130 client billable hours average per month).

The Corporate M&A Paralegal can be located in the Chicago, Dallas or New York office. Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (KattenFlex).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the position. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• General corporate governance, including entity formation; preparing stock certificates; drafting documents for amendments, withdrawals, mergers, conversions and dissolutions of corporations, partnerships and LLCs.
• Draft and file annual reports, resolutions, articles of incorporation, by-laws, certificates of formation and operating agreements.
• Draft and file EIN applications with IRS.
• Prepare and file UCC financing statements and releases.
• Prepare minutes and maintain corporate minute books.
• Assist with corporate transactional work, including conducting UCC/lien searches as part of due diligence process, closings of acquisition, merger and reorganization transactions.
• Prepare closing sets for completed transactions.
• Obtain apostilles and other legalizations of corporate records and other documents.
• Attention to detail and timelines; ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
• Maintain up-to-date time reports to ensure accurate client billing.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, however, may supervise work performed by Project Assistants and/or Paralegal staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree and five or more years related experience working as a corporate paralegal preferably in a law firm environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program a plus. Private Equity/M&A experience is strongly preferred.
• Computer proficient with experience and working knowledge of Westlaw and other corporate-related databases, Internet research, due diligence, Excel, Outlook, MS Word and DocuSign preferred.
• Familiarity with all of the following and with extensive experience in at least one area: corporate financing transactions, M&A, private equity, and new venture formation.
• Excellent organizational skills including record keeping, data collection, and system information. Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish information in report format, written correspondence, e‑mail, or verbally.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, staff, and outside contacts.
• Analytical skills requiring an aptitude for detail and accuracy in order to analyze and research corporate transactional data, process information, and perform essential duties.
• Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment. Ability to act independently and make routine decisions within scope of the position’s responsibilities.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment, adapt to changes in workflow, and ensure work is completed within defined deadlines. Proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution, and follow-through skills.
• Possess excellent knowledge of reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and formatting in order to interpret source data, prepare corporate transactional documents and forms, proofread material for grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, and perform file maintenance.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations and apply mathematical concepts when computing, reconciling balances, and verifying numerical data on forms and documents.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including computer, laser printer, telephone, photocopier, calculator, scanner, facsimile, etc.
• Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation and copies, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.

In our Chicago office, the annualized salary range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution, parental leave, transportation fringe benefit program, back-up care option, generous paid time off policy and long-term and short-term disability policies.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP in an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000