Senior Corporate Attorney

Kelleher & Holland LLC; Ela Township (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelleher + Holland, LLC is seeking a Corporate Attorney, preferably based out of North Barrington, IL, to lead complex M&A and business transactions for closely held businesses. The role may include estate planning work where it intersects with corporate matters and requires a strong business advisory mindset.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of corporate/transactional experience, Illinois license, and strong drafting/negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in Illinois; additional bar admissions a plus
• 10+ years of corporate/transactional experience preferred (minimum 7–10 years considered for the right candidate)
• Some estate planning or business succession experience preferred; high-net-worth tax planning experience a plus
• CPA, CFP, or AEP designation a significant plus
• An established book of business is welcomed but not required — our pipeline of corporate and transactional work supports a full caseload from day one
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and client-counseling skills

Responsibilities

• Structure, negotiate, and close mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions
• Draft and review purchase agreements, operating agreements, and related corporate documents
• Advise closely held businesses and entrepreneurs on entity formation, governance, and succession
• Conduct due diligence and manage transaction timelines
• Counsel clients on general corporate and business matters as trusted outside counsel
• Advise clients on business succession and estate/transition planning where it intersects with corporate work
• Draft related estate planning documents as needed

Skills

Illinois law expertise

Negotiation

Drafting

Client counseling

Job description

Corporate Attorney — North Barrington, Illinois Office

(Full-Time | In-Person)

Illinois Licensed | Corporate & M&A Focus | Estate Planning Experience a Plus | 10+ Years' Experience

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished corporate attorney to join a collaborative, full-service firm with a steady pipeline of sophisticated transactional work. KH offers the infrastructure and case flow to keep a seasoned attorney fully engaged — with the autonomy to shape how you practice and the flexibility to bring an established book of business, or build on ours.

About Us:

Kelleher + Holland, LLC is a full-service law firm with a robust corporate and transactional practice, advising closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals across a wide range of matters. We're seeking an experienced Corporate Attorney, preferably based out of our North Barrington office (other KH office locations will be considered for the right candidate), to lead complex M&A and business transactions, with the flexibility to apply estate planning experience where client needs intersect.

Position Overview:

The Corporate Attorney will manage sophisticated corporate and M&A matters from structuring through closing — including entity formation, governance, and transactional work for closely held businesses — with the opportunity to apply estate planning experience where it intersects with business succession and ownership transition. This role is ideal for an attorney who thinks like a business advisor, with 10+ years of corporate/transactional experience. Candidates with financial credentials (CPA, CFP, or AEP) who chose to practice law are especially well-suited to this role, though not required.

Key Responsibilities:

Corporate & M&A

• Structure, negotiate, and close mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions
• Draft and review purchase agreements, operating agreements, and related corporate documents
• Advise closely held businesses and entrepreneurs on entity formation, governance, and succession
• Conduct due diligence and manage transaction timelines
• Counsel clients on general corporate and business matters as trusted outside counsel

Business Succession & Estate Planning (As Needed)

• Advise clients on business succession and estate/transition planning where it intersects with corporate work
• Draft related estate planning documents as needed

Why Join Us:

Kelleher + Holland, LLC is a growing, full-service law firm with offices in Illinois and Florida — voted an Illinois Best Place to Work, 2022–2026. We offer our attorneys:

• A steady, substantial pipeline of corporate and transactional work
• Flexibility and autonomy for seasoned practitioners
• Incentive-based compensation based on performance
• A collaborative, team-based culture that values leadership and personal growth
• Access to resources across a wide range of practice areas and jurisdictions

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Active license to practice law in Illinois; additional bar admissions a plus
• 10+ years of corporate/transactional experience preferred (minimum 7–10 years considered for the right candidate)
• Some estate planning or business succession experience preferred; high-net-worth tax planning experience a plus
• CPA, CFP, or AEP designation a significant plus
• An established book of business is welcomed but not required — our pipeline of corporate and transactional work supports a full caseload from day one
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and client-counseling skills