Senior Legal Operations Analyst

Kirkland & Ellis; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 116,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis, based in Chicago, seeks a Senior Legal Operations Analyst to support the Investment Partnerships Group. You will help administer investment transactions, manage critical documentation, and support ongoing fund operations. A paralegal or legal operations background in private markets is ideal.

The role emphasizes collaboration with senior managers, partners, and legal teams, with a focus on process excellence and cross-functional impact within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of private funds or corporate paralegal experience.
• Private markets knowledge: PE, private funds, investment management, M&A, debt finance, asset-backed securitization, VC, or related areas.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with the confidence to collaborate across all levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word; experience with Dynamo, accounting software, database platforms, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

• Investment Documentation: Prepare and review subscription agreements and materials for new investment opportunities, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Legal Coordination: Manage investment administration requests with attorneys and external teams, including AML and KYC requirements, amendments, and general correspondence.
• Fundraising & Subscription Support: Assist with subscription, documentation, and fundraising activities for internal investment entities.
• Data & System Management: Maintain investor, fund, and investment information in the firm's software platform.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and enhance operational controls across the investment lifecycle.
• Project Collaboration: Contribute to cross-functional projects with team members and leadership.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

AML/KYC knowledge

Private Markets Knowledge

Organization & Initiative

Analytical & Technical Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Dynamo

Accounting software

Database platforms

Job description

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

Are you a detail-oriented legal professional who enjoys managing complex investment documentation and partnering with stakeholders across an organization?

As a Senior Legal Operations Analyst, you will join the Investment Partnerships Group, a team responsible for supporting the administration, analysis, and recordkeeping of the firm's investment program on behalf of its partners. In this highly visible role, you will work closely with senior managers, partners, attorneys, and legal teams to facilitate investment transactions, oversee critical documentation, and support ongoing fund administration activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for a paralegal or legal operations professional with experience in private markets, corporate transactions, or investment management who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and enjoys driving operational excellence.

• Investment Documentation: Prepare and review subscription agreements and supporting materials for new investment opportunities, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Legal Coordination: Partner with attorneys and external legal teams to manage investment administration requests, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, limited partnership agreement amendments, and general legal correspondence.
• Fundraising & Subscription Support: Assist with subscription, documentation, and fundraising activities related to the firm's internal investment entities.
• Data & System Management: Maintain and update investor, fund, and investment information within the firm's software management platform.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance workflows, improve efficiency, and strengthen operational controls across the investment lifecycle.
• Project Collaboration: Contribute to complex initiatives and cross-functional projects while partnering with team members and firm leadership to achieve strategic objectives.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree; 5+ years of private funds or corporate paralegal (or comparable) experience.
• Private Markets Knowledge: Exposure to private equity, private funds, investment management, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), debt finance, asset-backed securitization, venture capital, or related practice areas.
• Organization & Initiative: Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and proactively drive work forward.
• Relationship Building: Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with the confidence to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Analytical & Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word. Experience with Dynamo, accounting software, database platforms, or similar systems is a plus.
• Industry Understanding: Familiarity with private market investing processes and industry best practices is highly valued.

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits include comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

Chicago: $116,000 - $144,000

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.