Exec Compensation Associate (2-3 yrs) – Premier Midsize Law Firm

McCormack Schreiber Legal Search; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Professional development support

Hands-on experience and growth

Job summary

McCormack Schreiber Legal Search in Chicago seeks an associate attorney with 2–3 years of executive compensation and governance experience to join a premier Midwest firm. The role focuses on designing incentive plans, drafting employment and change-in-control agreements, and advising on SEC disclosures for boards and committees.

You will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams on corporate transactions, M&A matters, and governance issues, within a hybrid Chicago setting that supports growth

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of experience with executive compensation and governance matters.
• Strong academic credentials.

Responsibilities

• Draft and design short- and long-term incentive arrangements (profits-interest, stock options, RSAs/RSUs, phantom equity).
• Prepare executive employment agreements, severance and change-in-control contracts.
• Advise compensation committees and boards on SEC disclosures and governance issues.
• Address executive compensation in M&A, fundraising, IPOs, and joint ventures.
• Collaborate with labor, corporate, tax, litigation and employee benefits teams on coordinated solutions.

Skills

Executive compensation

Governance

M&A experience

Job description

Our client, a sophisticated Midwest-based law firm, is actively seeking an executive compensation attorney to join its thriving Chicago office as an associate. This practice gives candidates the chance to work with a highly experienced, cross-disciplinary team that advises companies, executives, and boards on complex compensation design, equity programs, SEC disclosures, and change-in-control matters, all within a collaborative and strategically focused environment.

Highlights:

• Firm believes strongly in work-life balance
• Top-notch professional development support
• Fantastic opportunity for hands-on experience, allowing associates to truly grow and excel

Responsibilities:

• Draft and design short-term and long-term incentive arrangements, such as profits-interest programs, stock option plans, RSAs/RSUs, and phantom equity initiatives
• Prepare executive employment agreements as well as severance and change-in-control contracts
• Provide guidance to companies, compensation committees, and boards on SEC reporting requirements tied to executive pay and governance matters
• Address executive compensation components of corporate transactions, including M&A deals, fundraising activities, IPOs, and joint ventures
• Work with attorneys across labor and employment, corporate, tax, litigation, and employee benefits groups to deliver coordinated solutions

Required Qualifications:

• 2-3 years of experience with executive compensation and governance matters (significant M&A experience and an interest in shifting practice focus to executive comp will also be considered)
• Strong academic credentials

Location:

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Compensation:

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $200,000 - $220,000.

About Us:

McCormack Schreiber Legal Search is a leading legal recruiting firm serving clients and candidates in Chicago, California and across the country. For more than 30 years, we have helped law firms and companies find exceptional legal talent and attorneys navigate important career moves through deep market knowledge, longstanding relationships and a highly personalized approach.