Senior Paralegal

Position Overview Join our fast‑paced legal team and contribute to the evolution of commercial finance in the greater Chicago area. As a Senior Paralegal, you will support attorneys across a broad range of high‑impact legal and operational matters, including corporate governance & entity management, commercial finance, supplier and third‑party contracting, regulatory and compliance initiatives, and day‑to‑day departmental operations. In this role, you will also serve as a key point of support in managing our legal matters through the department’s matter‑management system, Brightflag. This includes opening and closing matters, processing invoices, running reports, tracking important dates, entering status updates, and ensuring matters are accurately maintained throughout their lifecycle. This position is ideal for a proactive, detail‑driven paralegal who enjoys managing complex workflows, partnering with multiple departments, and supporting a busy in‑house legal team. Commitment to Internal Control This position is required to possess a comprehensive understanding of and adhere to the system of internal controls associated with the fundamental duties and responsibilities of the role. This includes compliance with SOX and all other pertinent regulatory and compliance policies and requirements. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Matter Management (Brightflag) Manage legal matters using the department’s matter‑management software, Brightflag, including opening and closing matters according to internal procedures, processing and routing outside counsel invoices for review and approval, tracking and updating key dates, deadlines, and status changes, running standard and ad‑hoc reports for attorneys and leadership, ensuring matter records are complete, accurate, and properly maintained, coordinating with attorneys, accounting, and outside counsel to ensure proper coding, compliance with billing guidelines, and timely invoice processing. Support ongoing enhancements to matter‑management workflows and legal operations processes. Corporate Governance & Entity Management: Assist with maintaining corporate records, including entity formation documents, bylaws, resolutions, and annual filings; support the preparation of board materials, written consents, and officer/secretary certificates; track and update entity information in corporate governance systems (CSC) and internal records; coordinate with internal teams and external service providers to ensure timely submission of annual reports, business licenses, and other required filings; assist attorneys with entity‑related research, document retrieval, and special corporate projects. Transactional Support: Maintain and update templates, checklists, and departmental playbooks in consultation with attorneys. Contract Review & Processing: Review and assist with negotiation of nondisclosure agreements and standard vendor or commercial contracts under attorney supervision, identify deviations from approved templates requiring attorney review, coordinate contract routing, execution, and storage using established internal processes. Outside Counsel & Litigation Support: Coordinate outside counsel engagement, matter setup, and invoice management; collect, organize, and produce documents for litigation, investigations, or regulatory inquiries; track case developments, deadlines, and billing in Brightflag. Department Operations & File Management: Assist with organizing and maintaining files in the Legal Department’s SharePoint site; maintain corporate records, including resolutions, annual filings, and entity documents; support the use of legal technology tools and help improve operational workflows; collaborate with attorneys and cross‑functional teams on departmental projects and initiatives; provide administrative and paralegal support for corporate governance activities, including maintaining entity documentation, organizing governance files, and updating corporate records in SharePoint and related systems. Special Projects: Perform special projects and other legal or administrative duties as assigned. Key Performance Indicators Accurate and timely processing of legal assignments. Effective management and accuracy of Brightflag matter data, status updates, and reporting. Compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal control requirements. High level of organization and timely follow‑through on all assigned matters. Strong partnerships with internal stakeholders (Sales, Operations, Credit, Compliance). Accurate and timely maintenance of corporate governance and entity‑management records, filings, and documentation. Timely and accurate processing of outside counsel invoices. Responsibility And Decision‑Making Authority Acts independently within the scope of established company policies and legal department guidelines. Identifies issues requiring escalation to attorneys. Management/Supervisory Responsibilities None Qualifications Working knowledge of commercial contracts, secured transactions, and basic UCC concepts. Strong drafting, research, and organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with attorneys, business units, and outside counsel. Familiarity with legal technology, matter‑management systems (preferably Brightflag), and document‑management tools. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Positive, professional, and respectful workplace demeanor. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 5+ years of related legal experience, preferably in commercial finance, transactional law, or an in‑house legal department. Education and Experience Bachelor’s or associate degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Paralegal certificate. Working Hours Typical business hours: 40‑45+ hours per week; occasional work outside of normal business hours depending on business needs. This position follows a hybrid work model, requiring a regular on‑site presence in the Itasca, Illinois office while allowing for designated remote work days each week. The specific schedule may vary based on business needs, team coordination, and transaction or project demands. Travel 0–5%; occasional travel as needed. Physical Demands Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment. Light lifting and carrying of supplies, files, etc. Ability to speak to and hear customers and/or other employees via phone or in person. Body motor skills sufficient to enable incumbent to move from one office location to another. Additional Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision plans 401(k) and matching Paid Time Off Company‑Paid Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program Training and Development Opportunities Employee Discounts Compensation Non‑exempt position. Salary range $99,500.00 – $125,000.00 with opportunity to earn a discretionary annual bonus. #J-18808-Ljbffr Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc.