Legal Practice Specialist - Private Client

McDermott Will & Emery; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global law firm is seeking a Legal Practice Specialist in Chicago, IL. The role involves supporting the Private Client Practice Group with high-level service and document preparation. Ideal candidates will have at least seven years of legal secretarial experience, excellent communication skills, and strong attention to detail. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $78,000 to $110,000, along with performance-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits. A minimum of three days in-office work is required.

Benefits

Generous compensation packages

Comprehensive benefits

Work-life balance support

Qualifications

• At least seven years of legal secretarial or support experience.
• Experience with electronic filings in state and county agencies.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional support in document preparation.
• Manage attorney email and calendar.
• Coordinate logistics for meetings.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Strong client service skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,750 lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With us, you’ll find

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award‑winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!

• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.

• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work‑life balance.

• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description

The Legal Practice Specialist is an integral member of McDermott’s legal team. This position supports the Private Client Practice Group by providing a high level of service and support for their assigned attorneys while consistently producing excellent work product. This position is expected to maintain a general knowledge of business services policies and procedures, practice areas and clients of the Firm. The Legal Practice Specialist must maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive matters and materials related to clients and the Firm. A successful Legal Practice Specialist takes ownership of their role, puts clients first, is adaptable to the evolving needs of the team and actively seeks creative ways to partner with attorneys provide the highest level of client service.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Build effective working relationships with clients, internal and external, through regular interactions in a friendly, helpful, and professional manner
• Provide exceptional support in document preparation, including editing, proofreading, and redlining documents for accuracy, grammar, and formatting
• Ability to communicate professionally, discreetly and effectively with outside parties (including clients, advisors and other counsel) to coordinate scheduling, transmittal of documents and related items
• Proactively manage attorney Outlook email (when requested) and calendar to include providing reminders of responses needed and impending deadlines and obligations
• Ensure accuracy of contact and other pertinent information within Outlook and the firmwide contact, billing, and marketing databases
• Provide meticulous support in arranging and coordinating logistics for meetings, including video/audio conferencing, room assignments, hand‑outs and catering requests
• Proactively manage monthly client billings by reviewing and editing prebills; liaise with billing department to ensure client billings guidelines are followed and bills are sent timely
• Oversee attorney expense reports and vendor invoices through to completion to include, ensuring complete documentation is provided, prompt submission, and necessary follow‑up
• Establish and maintain paper and electronic files in compliance with current Firm policies utilizing the Firm’s Document Management System
• Manage client intake process, including generating client conflict inquiries, opening new matters and preparing engagement letters
• Maintain contact information and activities with clients and prospective clients in our CRM system
• Effectively leverage time by delegating administrative tasks to support team
• Perform complex tasks which may be highly confidential and sensitive, and require discretion and diplomacy

Job Specifications

• At least seven (7) years of legal secretarial or support experience, private client practice experience is a plus
• Experience with electronic filings with state and county agencies and courts
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Extremely professional, discreet and mature demeanor and presentation
• Strong client service skills with high-level standards of excellence in work product and communications to meet or exceed client and Firm expectations
• Strong problem‑solving skills with ability to take initiative and use good judgment and excellent follow‑up skills
• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage time and delegation to appropriate office staff
• Strong attention to detail in proofreading and editing documents, including knowledge of correct grammar and punctuation
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
• Strong problem‑solving skills with ability to take initiative and use good judgment and excellent follow‑up skills
• Ability to maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and diplomacy
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment
• Willingness to obtain notary qualification and serve as notary at client meetings to execute documents
• Required to work in the office a minimum of three (3) days each week

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance‑based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $78,000 - $110,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWE provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear
• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.