Associate Attorney

Benefits:

Collaborative environment

Hybrid remote and in-person work structure

Genuine fast track to partnership

Meaningful client contact and substantive responsibility

Competitive salary based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrat

Collaborative Environment

Professional Growth

No Minimum annual billable-hours requirement

Salary commensurate with experience

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

McCormick Law & Consulting – Lake Bluff, Illinois Business Litigation & Corporate Matters Associate Attorney, 1-5 years experience

About the Firm

McCormick Law & Consulting is a growing, business-focused boutique law firm based in Lake Bluff, Illinois. We provide sophisticated, practical legal counsel with the responsiveness, flexibility, and direct client relationships of a small firm.

Our practice centers on representing businesses, business owners, professionals and individuals in both litigation and transactional matters. We handle complex commercial and civil disputes, contracts, business structuring, corporate governance, and related advisory matters, along with select employment, discrimination, intellectual property, real estate, and estate-planning matters.

We are seeking an exceptionally capable Associate Attorney who wants meaningful responsibility, direct client exposure, and the opportunity to help shape the continued growth of the firm.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

This position is designed for an ambitious attorney who wants to continue doing sophisticated, consequential legal work in a more personal and sustainable environment. It may be particularly attractive to someone who enjoys the substance and intellectual demands of complex legal work but is looking for an alternative to the traditional large-firm model.

Fast track to partnership. We are hiring with the firm’s long-term growth in mind, and not to fill a permanent associate seat. An attorney who demonstrates excellent legal ability, sound judgment, strong client relationships, and a meaningful contribution to the firm will have a genuine, accelerated path to partnership.

No minimum billable-hour requirement. The firm does not impose an arbitrary annual billable-hours quota. Attorneys are expected to work hard, meet the demands of their matters, and produce excellent results. Performance is evaluated based on the quality and efficiency of the attorney’s work, judgment, responsiveness, client service, initiative, and overall contribution to the firm, not simply whether a numerical billing target has been reached.

A sustainable legal career. We believe excellent attorneys should be able to build challenging and rewarding practices without sacrificing their lives outside the office. The firm supports hybrid flexibility, reasonable autonomy, and respect for personal and family commitments, while recognizing that trials, hearings, transactions, and client emergencies will occasionally require additional effort.

Meaningful responsibility. Associates receive substantive assignments, direct client contact, and responsibility for matters commensurate with their experience. This is an opportunity to develop as a lawyer, trusted adviser, and future leader of the firm, not simply to perform isolated tasks within a larger team.

Position Overview

The Associate Attorney will work primarily on business litigation, broader civil litigation, and corporate and transactional matters. The position is well suited for an attorney who has strong foundational skills in one or more of these areas and wants to develop a versatile, business-focused practice.

The successful candidate will be intellectually curious, analytically rigorous, and capable of taking ownership of assignments and matters. The attorney must be able to identify the issues that matter, communicate clearly, exercise sound judgment, and produce precise, thoughtful work.

The position offers close collaboration with the firm’s lawyers, meaningful interaction with clients, and increasing independence and responsibility as the attorney demonstrates readiness.

Primary Responsibilities

Take ownership of litigation and transactional matters commensurate with experience

Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, correspondence, and other litigation materials

Participate in all phases of litigation, including written discovery, motion practice, hearings, depositions, settlement discussions, and trial preparation

Draft and review contracts, operating agreements, corporate governance documents, compliance materials, and other business-related agreements

Assist clients with business formation, structuring, governance, compliance, and day-to-day legal issues

Conduct thorough legal research and translate that research into clear, practical recommendations

Attend hearings, depositions, client meetings, and other proceedings as appropriate

Analyze complex factual and legal issues and help develop efficient, results-oriented strategies

Communicate professionally and effectively with clients, opposing counsel, courts, experts, and third parties

Manage deadlines, competing priorities, and multiple matters with appropriate attention to detail

Maintain timely and accurate time entries and uphold the firm’s standards for responsiveness and client service

Contribute to client relationships, firm development, and the firm’s continued growth

Candidate Requirements

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school

Active Illinois law license

One to five years of relevant legal experience, however new lawyers may be considered for the position as well

Experience in commercial or civil litigation, corporate or transactional work, or another closely related practice area

Exceptional legal writing, research, and analytical abilities

Ability to understand complicated facts, identify the decisive issues, and develop practical legal strategies

Sound judgment and a high standard for accuracy, preparation, and professional responsibility

Self-motivation and the ability to work independently while recognizing when collaboration or guidance is appropriate

Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines

Excellent communication skills and a commitment to responsive, thoughtful client service

Intellectual curiosity and an interest in developing across complementary practice areas

A business-minded approach and a genuine interest in growing with the firm over the long term

Indiana bar admission is a plus but is not required

Application Requirements

Please submit:

A cover letter explaining your interest in the position

Résumé

A substantive legal writing sample that accurately reflects your own work

Professional references may be requested later in the hiring process.

Flexible work from home options available.