Attorney – Intellectual Property & Business Litigation

Thorelli & Associates; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Bonus opportunities

Flexible work environment

Meaningful client interaction

High-impact matters

Job summary

Thorelli & Associates, a close-knit boutique Chicago law firm, seeks an attorney with broad experience in business law and litigation to join our practice. You will handle IP, commercial litigation, and transactional matters while working directly with clients in a flexible, client-centered environment.

The role emphasizes strong drafting, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with opportunities for significant client contact and collaborative work across practice areas. Illinois bar is required.

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in Illinois (implied by location)
• 5+ years of experience in intellectual property law, commercial litigation, corporate transactions, or a combination thereof
• Experience handling complex litigation from inception through resolution
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills for commercial and technology agreements
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to manage multiple matters independently while maintaining exceptional client service
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to contribute to boutique practice growth

Responsibilities

• Handle IP and commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract, business torts, and other complex business disputes.
• Advise clients on IP strategy, portfolio management, licensing, and enforcement.
• Draft and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, including licensing, NDAs, SaaS, assignments, joint ventures, and other tech-related contracts.
• Counsel clients on corporate governance, contract interpretation, employment-related matters, and general business issues.
• Handle ADA-related matters, advise on compliance, defend ADA claims, negotiate settlements, and represent clients in litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Privacy suits.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through practical, business-oriented legal advice.
• Collaborate with attorneys across multiple practice areas to deliver comprehensive legal solutions.

Skills

Intellectual property

Commercial litigation

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Client counseling

Independent management

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

We are a close-knit boutique Chicago law firm that emphasizes high-quality legal work and proactive client counseling. Our clients, mostly small and mid-sized EU and UK companies operating a business unit in the US, rely on us to serve all their business needs. Our clients know that with one email they can pass their legal problem to our team for resolution. We encourage our entire support staff to broaden their skill sets and prepare themselves for additional responsibilities. We’re a stable firm with a low turnover rate. We pride ourselves on providing sophisticated legal counsel in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment that offers attorneys meaningful client contact, autonomy, and flexibility.

Position Overview

We are seeking an attorney with broad experience in business law and litigation to join our practice. This role is ideal for a lawyer who enjoys handling a diverse mix of intellectual property, commercial litigation, and transactional matters while working directly with clients. The successful candidate will have strong analytical, writing, and advocacy skills, and will be comfortable managing matters independently while collaborating with partners and clients. This position offers significant flexibility, while maintaining a commitment to exceptional client service.

Responsibilities

• Handle intellectual property and commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract, business torts, and other complex business disputes.
• Advise clients on intellectual property strategy, portfolio management, licensing, and enforcement.
• Draft and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, including licensing agreements, NDAs, SaaS agreements, assignments, joint venture agreements, and other technology-related contracts.
• Counsel clients on corporate governance, contract interpretation, employment-related matters, and general business issues.
• Handle matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including advising clients on compliance, defending ADA accessibility claims, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in related litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Privacy suits.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through practical, business-oriented legal advice.
• Collaborate with attorneys across multiple practice areas to deliver comprehensive legal solutions.

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in Illinois and in good standing.
• 5+ years of experience in intellectual property law, commercial litigation, corporate transactions, or a combination thereof.
• Experience handling complex litigation from inception through resolution.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills for commercial and technology agreements.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters independently while maintaining exceptional client service.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to contribute to the continued growth of a boutique practice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Experience with patent litigation, Section 337 proceedings, PTAB matters, or patent prosecution.
• Experience with mediation and arbitration proceedings.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Flexible work environment.
• Meaningful client interaction and substantial responsibility.
• Opportunity to work on sophisticated, high-impact matters without the bureaucracy of a large law firm.
• Collaborative, collegial culture that values professional development and work-life balance.