Practice Development Assistant

Seyfarth Shaw LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Chicago seeks a Practice Development Assistant for Corporate and Real Estate to support marketing, practice management, and business development initiatives. You will coordinate projects, assist with monthly reports, and help manage portals and communications.

The ideal candidate has 1–4 years in a professional setting, strong organizational skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and AI-enabled tools. Law firm experience is a plus, but not required.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field or equivalent job experience.
• 1–4 years of professional environment experience; law firm experience is a plus but not required.
• Superior organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong MS Office skills (Outlook/Word/PowerPoint/Excel); CRM systems and AI tools are a plus.
• Excellent proofreading/copyediting, grammar, and written/interpersonal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and coordinate with multiple supervisors.
• Initiative, independent judgment, and flexibility with follow-through.

Responsibilities

• Assist with monthly financial reports using Microsoft Excel.
• Monitor and reconcile department budgets; provide monthly budget reports to leaders; coordinate with Finance on adjustments.
• Coordinate logistics for virtual and in-person meetings and trainings; manage AV, catering, and materials.
• Draft and edit internal communications (reports, newsletters, announcements, surveys).
• Create presentation drafts in PowerPoint that are brand compliant.
• Manage department and practice group portal pages and content organization.
• Maintain marketing content such as practice experience, matters, client successes for pitches and materials.
• Support industry ranking submissions and reference management; use CRM systems.
• Utilize firm-approved tech and AI tools to improve efficiency and output quality.
• Assist with external client communications formatting and distribution; liaise with design team on collateral.
• Handle ad hoc projects as needed.

Skills

MS Office

Outlook

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

CRM systems

AI tools

Proofreading

Communication

Time management

Multi-tasking

Education

Undergraduate degree in business/marketing/communications

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Outlook

Word

Video conferencing tools

Job description

Why Seyfarth

At Seyfarth, we understand that great people are the key to our success, and we provide the opportunities to match. If you join us, you’ll work with state-of-the-art technology in a friendly and professional environment, and we will continue to invest in your professional development. If you want the freedom to grow at a firm that is invested in your future, keep reading.

The Opportunity

As the Practice Development Assistant for the Corporate and Real Estate departments, you will assist the Practice Development/Marketing & Business Development team with practice management, marketing, and business development initiatives. You will play an active role in the development and implementation of key initiatives and programs and will be responsible for coordinating project stakeholders to help ensure successful and timely project execution. You should be a highly motivated self-starter with strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently. The ideal candidate is an adaptable, quick learner who succeeds in a collaborative, fast-paced, professional environment. You will report to the Senior Practice Development Coordinator for Corporate and Real Estate.

The Day-To-Day

On any given day, you will:

• Assist with distribution of monthly financial reports utilizing Microsoft Excel.
• Monitor and reconcile department and practice group promotional budgets, track approved expenses against annual budget allocations, provide monthly budget reports to practice group leaders, and coordinate with Finance on budget adjustments and reallocations as needed.
• Coordinate logistics for virtual and in-person meetings, trainings, and CLE programs, including AV, video conferencing, catering, meeting materials, and onsite support. Provide meeting support through presentation management, note-taking, and follow-up.
• Draft and edit internal communications, including but not limited to reports, newsletters, announcements, and surveys.
• Create effective, visually appealing, and brand compliant presentation drafts using PowerPoint.
• Manage all aspects of department and practice group portal pages, including content updates and organization.
• Assist with the collection, organization, and maintenance of practice experience, representative matters, client successes, and other marketing content used in pitches, submissions, and business development materials.
• Support with preparation of industry ranking submissions and reference management, including use of CRM system.
• Leverage firm-approved technology and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and enhance the quality and consistency of work product.
• Support processes for external-facing client communications, including formatting and distribution, as needed.
• Liaise with design team to edit collateral and internal materials, as needed.
• Various ad hoc projects as needed and requested.

You Have

• An undergraduate degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field, or equivalent job experience.
• One-to-four years of experience in a professional environment. Law firm experience preferred but not required.
• Superior organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Experience with CRM systems, collaboration platforms, and AI technologies is a plus.
• Strong proofreading/copyediting skills and solid grammar skills. Experience with graphic design and an eye for aesthetics and details is also beneficial.
• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to maintain effective relationships with attorneys and staff.
• Ability to efficiently plan and manage time while handling projects for multiple supervisors and competing deadlines.
• Exhibit a high degree of initiative, independent judgment, and flexibility, with excellent troubleshooting and follow-through skills.

What We Provide

Seyfarth provides competitive salary and benefits at all levels, and our culture embraces the entrepreneurial spirit of its professionals like no other firm. Our professional staff are a collaborative team, helping to define the unique client experience offered by the firm. We understand that it takes more than attorneys to build a successful legal practice; everyone participates in our commitment to excellence.

More About Seyfarth

With approximately 1,000 lawyers across 17 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. Learn more about The Seyfarth Experience at www.seyfarth.com/careers/.

Seyfarth Shaw is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.

If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click EEO is the LAW and the Supplement poster through the following link: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Location Specific Language

Chicago: The full-time salary range for this role is $52,000 to $62,000 annually, which is based on a 35-hour work week.

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role in the locations listed above at the time of this posting. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographical location and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for an annual merit increase and bonus pay.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

This position is based in Chicago, IL 60606