Litigation Associate

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionBUSINESS LITIGATION ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY2–6 Years of Experience | Chicago Metropolitan Area | Remote/HybridSalary: $90,000–$140,000, commensurate with experience, plus performance-based bonus and long-term advancement opportunitiesABOUT THE FIRMWe are a boutique business law firm representing companies, entrepreneurs, and business owners in commercial litigation, business disputes, and transactional matters throughout Illinois and other jurisdictions.We are a technology-driven law practice operating primarily in a cloud-based environment. Our attorneys have the flexibility to work remotely while remaining closely connected through modern practice-management, document-management, research, and communication platforms. We also maintain office space in the Chicago metropolitan area for attorneys who prefer or need an office environment.Our practice emphasizes exceptional legal writing, sound judgment, practical business solutions, responsiveness to clients, and the intelligent use of technology to deliver outstanding legal services efficiently.We believe technology is an essential component of modern legal practice. Candidates who are comfortable leveraging technology, automation, cloud-based systems, artificial intelligence, and emerging legal tools to improve efficiency, client service, and work-product quality are strongly encouraged to apply.THE OPPORTUNITYWe are seeking an Illinois-licensed associate attorney with approximately 2–6 years of litigation experience to assist with all aspects of commercial and business litigation.The ideal candidate is an exceptional legal writer and researcher who is technologically proficient, highly organized, intellectually curious, and capable of working independently in a remote environment.This is an opportunity to do substantive legal work—not simply document review or routine associate assignments. The successful candidate will work directly with the firm's principal attorney, assume meaningful responsibility for matters, communicate directly with clients, and participate in cases from inception through resolution.For the right attorney, the position also offers something increasingly uncommon in legal practice: a potential path toward leadership and eventual ownership of an established law practice.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES• Conduct sophisticated legal research and analysis• Draft legal research memoranda and client advisory memoranda• Draft complaints, answers, affirmative defenses, motions, briefs, and other pleadings• Draft and respond to interrogatories, requests to produce, requests to admit, subpoenas, and other written discovery• Analyze and organize document productions and electronically stored information• Assist with discovery strategy and case development• Prepare for and assist with depositions, evidentiary hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and trials• Manage litigation deadlines, court filings, and case workflow• Communicate directly with clients regarding case developments and strategy• Work collaboratively with attorneys, clients, experts, and other professionals• Utilize legal technology, automation, and AI-assisted tools to improve efficiency and work-product qualityREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school• Active Illinois law license in good standing• Approximately 2–6 years of litigation experience• Exceptional legal writing ability• Strong legal research and analytical skills• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment• Ability to manage multiple matters, projects, and deadlines simultaneously• Strong attention to detail• Excellent written and verbal communication skills• Ability to work effectively and productively in a predominantly remote environmentTECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCYOur practice is substantially paperless and cloud-based. Candidates should be highly comfortable with technology and preferably have experience with:• Microsoft 365, including Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, and OneDrive• Microsoft SharePoint for cloud-based document management and collaboration• Lexis for legal research, citation analysis, and case law research• Adobe Acrobat Pro, including PDF creation and editing, document assembly, Bates numbering, redaction, and electronic document management• Clio case and practice management software• Federal and state electronic filing systems• Electronic discovery and cloud-based document-management platforms• Artificial intelligence and AI-assisted legal research, drafting, document review, and productivity toolsDemonstrated willingness and ability to responsibly utilize artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT and similar platforms, to enhance legal research, drafting, document review, workflow efficiency, and client service is strongly preferred.All technology and AI tools must, of course, be used with appropriate professional judgment and in compliance with applicable ethical, confidentiality, and client obligations.PREFERRED EXPERIENCEExperience in one or more of the following areas is particularly valuable:• Commercial and business litigation• Contract disputes• Shareholder, member, and partnership disputes• Employment litigation• Federal court litigation• Discovery and electronic discovery• Depositions• Motion practice• Legal brief writing• Arbitration and mediation• Trial preparationCandidates do not need experience in every listed area. Strong research, writing, judgment, initiative, and the ability to learn are more important than checking every box.WHAT MAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY DIFFERENTThis is not a traditional large-firm associate position.The successful candidate will have substantial responsibility and meaningful client contact and will work directly with an experienced business attorney and litigator. You will interact directly with business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, and other decision-makers rather than being confined to a narrow support role.We are looking for an attorney who wants to become an increasingly important part of the practice—not simply someone looking for his or her next associate position.The firm's founder anticipates transitioning toward retirement over approximately the next five years and is interested in identifying and developing an attorney with the ability and desire to assume increasing responsibility for the firm's clients and operations.For the right individual, that relationship could ultimately develop into participation in firm management, equity ownership, or the opportunity to acquire the practice.There is no predetermined commitment or obligation on either side. Rather, the goal is to create an opportunity for a talented and entrepreneurial attorney to demonstrate his or her abilities, develop relationships with the firm's clients, participate in the growth of the practice, and potentially become its next owner.Attorneys who have considered eventually owning their own practice—but would prefer the opportunity to grow into an established firm rather than starting one from scratch—are particularly encouraged to apply.COMPENSATION AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH• Base salary of $90,000–$140,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated ability• Performance-based bonus opportunities• Predominantly remote and flexible work environment• Available Chicago-area office• Direct mentorship and professional development• Significant substantive litigation responsibility• Direct client exposure• Opportunity to participate in business development• Increasing responsibility based upon demonstrated ability• Long-term leadership potential• Potential future ownership or practice-acquisition opportunityAPPLICATION REQUIREMENTSQualified candidates should submit:• Resume• A substantive legal writing sample, preferably a motion, brief, or legal memorandum substantially authored by the candidate• Brief cover letter describing the candidate's litigation experience, technology proficiency, and long-term professional objectives• Law school transcript is optionalWriting ability is extremely important to this position. Applicants should submit a writing sample that accurately reflects their own legal research, analysis, and writing abilities.Applications and inquiries will be maintained in strict confidence.We are particularly interested in hearing from attorneys who are excellent writers, comfortable with technology, capable of working independently, interested in developing direct client relationships, and excited by the possibility of eventually helping lead—and potentially own—a successful business law practice.