Associate Attorney - Commercial Contracts & Construction Law

Robbins Schwartz; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Robbins Schwartz seeks a motivated Associate Attorney with 1-2 years of relevant experience to join our team. This role focuses on public sector clients in commercial contracts, real estate, school finance and construction law in Illinois.

The attorney will draft, negotiate, and review contracts; provide counsel on real estate transactions, school finance matters, and compliance with state and federal law; and participate in litigation, arbitration, and hearings as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Admission to the Illinois state bar.
• 1 year minimum experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical and efficient legal counsel on commercial, construction, and public procurement matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including construction agreements, professional service contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and procurement documents.
• Advise clients on real estate transactions including property acquisitions and dispositions, leases, easements, zoning, and compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
• Counsel educational institutions on school finance matters, including bond issuance, budgeting, fund transfers, tax levies, and financial compliance with state and federal law.
• Conduct legal research and prepare written memoranda, briefs, and other documents for clients, courts, or arbitrators.
• Represent clients in litigation, arbitration, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings.
• Advise clients on contract administration, performance issues, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution strategies.
• Participate in discovery processes, including review of electronically stored information and paper records.
• Analyze legal documents and suggest revisions to support client interests and minimize risk.

Skills

Legal research

Contract drafting

Client counseling

Education

Juris Doctor degree (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Robbins Schwartz seeks a motivated Associate Attorney with 1-2 years of relevant experience to join our team. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your practice while working closely with public sector clients, including school districts, community colleges, municipalities, and other public entities in the areas of commercial contracts, real estate, school finance and construction law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide practical and efficient legal counsel on commercial, construction, and public procurement matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including construction agreements, professional service contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and procurement documents.
• Advise clients on real estate transactions including property acquisitions and dispositions, leases, easements, zoning, and compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
• Counsel educational institutions on school finance matters, including bond issuance, budgeting, fund transfers, tax levies, and financial compliance with state and federal law.
• Conduct legal research and prepare written memoranda, briefs, and other documents for clients, courts, or arbitrators.
• Represent clients in litigation, arbitration, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings.
• Advise clients on contract administration, performance issues, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution strategies.
• Participate in discovery processes, including review of electronically stored information and paper records.
• Analyze legal documents and suggest revisions to support client interests and minimize risk.
• Attend client meetings and negotiations; interact with opposing counsel, contractors, and vendors.
• Support clients in navigating state and federal laws and regulations applicable to public construction projects.
• Proactively identify and address legal issues and provide preventative counseling to avoid disputes.
• Maintain strong client relationships built on trust, responsiveness, and a thorough understanding of client goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school
• Admission to the Illinois state bar
• 1 year minimum experience

Disclaimer:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

Robbins Schwartz provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to 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 terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.