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 is seeking a proactive Practice Development Assistant to join our Corporate and Real Estate teams in Chicago. You will support marketing, business development, and practice management initiatives, coordinating projects and stakeholders to ensure timely completion.

The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, Excel-based reporting, and experience with CRM systems. Join a fast-paced, collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and professional

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field.
• 1–4 years of professional experience; law firm experience is a plus but not required.
• Superior organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with CRM systems, collaboration platforms, and AI technologies is a plus.
• Strong proofreading and copyediting skills with solid grammar; eye for design is beneficial.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication; ability to build relationships with attorneys and staff.
• Ability to manage time and projects for multiple supervisors and deadlines.
• Initiative, independent judgment, flexibility, troubleshooting, and follow-through.

Responsibilities

• Assist with distribution of monthly financial reports using Excel.
• Monitor and reconcile department budgets; provide monthly reports and coordinate with Finance.
• Coordinate logistics for virtual and in-person meetings, trainings, and CLE programs; provide meeting support.
• Draft and edit internal communications including reports, newsletters, announcements, and surveys.
• Create brand-compliant PowerPoint drafts.
• Manage department and practice group portal pages; update content.
• Assist with collection and maintenance of marketing content for pitches and BD materials.
• Support industry ranking submissions and reference management; use CRM.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and quality of work.
• Support external-facing client communications formatting and distribution.
• Liaise with design team to edit collateral and internal materials.
• Handle various ad-hoc projects as needed.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Proofreading

Time management

Initiative / judgement

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Education

Undergraduate degree in business/marketing/communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

AI technologies

Collaboration platforms

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.

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

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.

San Francisco: The full-time salary range for this role is $59,000 to $69,000 annually, which is based on a 37.5-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

This position is based in San Francisco, CA 94105