Client Engagement and Contract Counsel

Jenner & Block; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Jenner & Block LLP seeks a Client Contracts Counsel to support the Office of General Counsel, reviewing engagement-related client contracts, engagement letters, and firm contracts in the US and UK. The role involves collaboration with partners, clients, and internal teams to ensure compliant terms and effective risk management.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated with strong communication, analytical thinking, and the ability to move projects forward independently with limited oversight.

Qualifications

• Law degree or equivalent from an accredited law school.
• Experience in professional services, legal services, or financial services environments is preferred.
• Strong understanding of firm operations, client relationships, and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and organize engagement terms, outside counsel guidelines, and engagement letters.
• Review and analyze letters and contracts to ensure alignment with client requirements and risk controls.
• Develop best practices and processes for engagement terms, reviews, and compliance.

Skills

Legal drafting

Contract analysis

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

AML & privacy awareness

Education

Law degree from an accredited law school

Job description

Jenner & Block LLP is a law firm with a fearless reputation and global reach, high-level problem solvers in litigation, government controversies, investigations, regulatory challenges, and complex corporate transactions. With offices in Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, the firm represents a wide range of clients, counseling Fortune 100 companies, large privately held corporations, major nonprofits, top universities, private equity investors, and Native American tribes. Consistently recognized as a firm that stands up for its values with its commitment to justice and community service, Jenner has been named the No. 1 pro bono firm 13 times in the United States by The American Lawyer.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Jenner & Block LLP is a law firm with a fearless reputation and global reach, high-level problem solvers in litigation, government controversies, investigations, regulatory challenges, and complex corporate transactions. With offices in Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, the firm represents a wide range of clients, counseling Fortune 100 companies, large privately held corporations, major nonprofits, top universities, private equity investors, and Native American tribes. Consistently recognized as a firm that stands up for its values with its commitment to justice and community service, Jenner has been named the No. 1 pro bono firm 13 times in the United States by The American Lawyer.

POSITION SUMMARY

Jenner & Block is seeking an innovative, motivated, diligent individual for the Client Contracts Counsel role. This is an exciting opportunity to join Jenner & Block, where our foundation is one of shared values: a commitment to integrity and professionalism, an eye towards a brighter future, and a tireless pursuit of justice. We have built a supportive and inclusive culture, where front-runners in our field—lawyers and professional staff, alike—can think and act with bold determination – “Our people are the heart of Jenner & Block.”

The Client Contracts Counsel will primarily be responsible for providing support to the Office of General Counsel (“OGC”), including tracking, reviewing, revising, and advising on engagement-related client contracts, engagement letters, and firm contracts in the United States and the United Kingdom. As part of the OGC, the candidate will also collaborate closely with our partners, clients, and internal departments to review and advise on contract terms and requirements set forth by our clients. The Client Contracts Counsel will assist lawyers with understanding, securing, and upholding their compliance duties, while supporting the success and sustainability of the Firm.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and have a collaborative mindset, effective communication, critical thinking, practical judgment and decision-making skills, the ability to provide creative ideas for process improvements and to move projects forward independently with limited oversight.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assist with maintaining, organizing, and cataloguing client and firm engagement terms, including outside counsel guidelines, RFPs, firm and client contracts, as well as engagement letters, to facilitate ready access to those materials.
• Assist with reviewing and analyzing engagement letters, outside counsel guidelines, RFPs, and firm and client contracts, to identify areas where modifications are necessary to ensure alignment between the firm's practices and our clients' requirements. This involves a careful examination of provisions relating to conflicts of interest, billing practices, rates, confidentiality, work product retention, and other relevant provisions, such as artificial intelligence, limits of liability, and indemnification. Based on your review, you will provide guidance and advice to Firm Counsel, partners, lawyers, and staff members to help them understand potential issues that may arise and propose solutions to mitigate risks.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of best practices, procedures and processes related to engagement terms and other critical OGC functions. This involves staying up to date with industry trends and technological developments to continuously improve the firm's review, negotiation, and compliance processes.
• Assist with training sessions and provision of educational materials to lawyers and staff members on OGC processes to help ensure a consistent approach firmwide.
• Assist with creating training materials for other members of the OGC team as it relates to essential job functions, including materials relating to engagement letter review and contract analysis.
• Train, mentor, and collaborate with other members of the OGC team regarding the review, revision, and analysis of outside counsel guidelines, RFPs, firm and client contracts, as well as engagement letters.
• Monitor and report on the status of OGC processes, including the resolution of outside counsel guidelines, RFPs, client and firm contracts, and engagement letters, tracking deviations or exceptions, and communicating status to relevant stakeholders.

Other responsibilities include:

• Assist the OGC as it advises Firm Management and lawyers on compliance, risk management, and other issues related to client terms of engagement.
• Respond to questions from various firm departments as well as clients in a timely and professional manner.
• Remain knowledgeable of the Rules of Professional Conduct, ALAS updates, and other relevant laws and regulations (e.g., domestic and international data protection laws).
• Identify, document, recommend, and implement process improvements for the OGC.
• Assist firm administrative staff and lawyers in understanding the firm's conflicts and intake procedures.
• Advise Business Intake and Business Services teams on issue-spotting, client contract process, etc., as needed.
• Participate in technology enhancement review in relation to outside counsel guidelines, engagement letter, and client contract processes, provide recommendations to the OGC and Firm Management, and assist with implementation of technology enhancement review, as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Law degree from an accredited law school and an active bar license required
• Proven experience in professional services, legal services, or financial services industries
• Deep understanding of law firm operations, client relationships, and regulatory environment
• Knowledge of relevant regulations including AML, data privacy, information security, governance, and professional conduct rules
• Proficiency in risk management software and analytics platforms
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities
• Ability to present complex risk concepts to diverse stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence without direct authority
• Experience working with senior executives and board‑level committees

Disclaimer

Additional Duties

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the primary duties and responsibilities for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all tasks or responsibilities that may be assigned. The role may include additional duties, specialized projects, and other tasks as required. The firm reserves the right to modify or adjust the responsibilities to meet business needs.

Physical Requirements

Candidates must be able to meet the physical demands of the position, including the ability to commute to the office as required on designated in-office days based on the position. The firm is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Eligibility Requirement

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Jenner will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

EEO Statement

Jenner & Block LLP is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment and employment decisions are not made on the basis of an individual’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, arrest record, matriculation, personal appearance, political affiliation, marital, parental, veteran, military, or order of protection status, or any other protected status or that of their relatives, friends, or associates.

Jenner & Block is proud to offer a competitive total rewards package, including comprehensive health & well-being benefits and 401k profit sharing. The anticipated pay range for this role is $115,000 - $200,000 in Chicago. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on several factors, including qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and consideration of internal equity.