General Counsel

Spidel Burnfin; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Spidel Burnfin, a Chicago-based family office client, seeks a General Counsel to lead its legal function and join the leadership team. You will act as chief legal advisor, guiding governance, trust administration, investments, and family matters spanning generations.

You will build and lead a small internal legal team while interfacing with outside counsel, trustees, and board members, translating complex legal concepts into clear guidance for family stakeholders.

Qualifications

• J.D. and active bar membership is required.
• 10+ years of legal experience in business and corporate law, trusts and estates, and transactional matters.
• Experience as general counsel or senior legal advisor to a family office, private trust company, or high net worth clients strongly preferred.
• Strong business judgment and the ability to translate complex legal concepts for family members across generations.

Responsibilities

• Act as a proactive problem solver, bridging legal expertise and business goals to deliver actionable solutions.
• Serve as primary legal counsel and interface for outside counsel, investment professionals, trustees, and board members.
• Advise on trust administration, estate planning, entity structuring, investment transactions, and business ventures across the family.
• Build and lead a small internal legal team as the office grows.

Skills

Legal strategy

Negotiation

Communication

Education

J.D. and bar membership

Job description

Spidel Burnfin does retained executive search for family offices. Our client, a single family office in Chicago, is seeking a General Counsel to lead its legal function. This is a rare opportunity to serve as part of the leadership team, not just simply as legal support.

Reporting to the President of the Family Office, you will serve as chief legal advisor and trusted thought partner across governance, trust administration, investments, and family matters spanning multiple generations.

What You Will Do

• Act as a proactive problem solver, bridging legal expertise and business goals to deliver actionable solutions
• Serve as primary legal counsel and interface for outside counsel, investment professionals, trustees, and board members
• Advise on trust administration, estate planning, entity structuring, investment transactions, and business ventures across the family
• Build and lead a small internal legal team as the office grows

What You Bring

• J.D. and active bar membership in good standing is required
• 10+ years of legal experience in business and corporate law, trusts and estates, and transactional matters
• Experience as general counsel or senior legal advisor to a family office, private trust company, or high net worth clients strongly preferred
• Strong business judgment and the ability to translate complex legal concepts for family members across generations