Senior Paralegal - Transactional

Kirkland-; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis in Los Angeles is seeking an experienced paralegal to own workstreams across complex corporate matters. You will coordinate matter materials, manage checklists, track deadlines, and collaborate with attorneys, clients, and external partners to keep transactions moving smoothly.

The role demands 5–10+ years in a sophisticated law firm environment, a bachelor’s degree (paralegal certification preferred), and comfort with document management systems, MS Office, and a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; paralegal certification preferred.
• California candidates must meet applicable California paralegal requirements.
• 5–10+ years of paralegal experience in a law firm or similar sophisticated environment.
• Experience in corporate or transactional matters (M&A, private equity, etc.).
• Experience with document management systems and standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of paralegal workstreams from planning through completion, coordinating activities, deliverables, deadlines and follow-up.
• Coordinate transaction workflows: organize matter materials, manage checklists, track progress, and ensure smooth execution.
• Support due diligence: coordinate and conduct diligence, review information, identify issues, and report findings to the team.
• Prepare and review a variety of corporate, transactional, governance and other documents.
• Manage filings and records: coordinate filings and maintain organized matter records.
• Drive closings and deliverables: coordinate execution, track signatures, and oversee post-closing requirements.
• Partner with attorneys and clients: work with attorneys, clients, vendors, and others, escalating when needed.
• Anticipate problems: identify needs, troubleshoot, and manage priorities in time-sensitive matters.
• Collaborate across teams: share knowledge and support development of less-experienced colleagues.
• Support team development: contribute to training and process improvements.

Skills

Ownership & Judgment

Communication

Organization

Attention to Detail

Adaptability

Travel Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certification

CA paralegal requirements

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Adobe Acrobat

Document management systems

Job description

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

• Manage Complex Matters: Take ownership of paralegal workstreams from initial planning through completion, coordinating key activities, deliverables, deadlines, and follow-up.
• Coordinate Transaction Workflows: Organize and maintain matter materials, manage checklists and tracking tools, coordinate document execution, and help ensure transactions progress efficiently and accurately.
• Support Due Diligence: Coordinate and conduct diligence and research, review and organize information, identify outstanding items or inconsistencies, and communicate findings to the appropriate members of the legal team.
• Prepare and Review Documents: Draft, review, proofread, and coordinate a variety of corporate, transactional, governance, and other supporting documents and materials.
• Manage Filings and Records: Prepare, coordinate, and track applicable filings, maintain organized matter and corporate records, and work with internal and external resources to meet requirements and deadlines.
• Drive Closings and Deliverables: Coordinate execution and closing activities, track outstanding items and signatures, organize final documentation, and oversee post-closing requirements and deliverables.
• Partner with Attorneys and Clients: Work directly with attorneys, clients, colleagues, vendors, and other external parties, using sound judgment to address routine matters independently and escalate issues when appropriate.
• Anticipate and Solve Problems: Proactively identify needs, troubleshoot issues, manage competing priorities, and help keep complex, time-sensitive matters moving forward.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with paralegals, attorneys, and other professionals across practice areas, sharing knowledge and providing support based on matter and business needs.
• Support Team Development: Serve as a resource to less-experienced team members and contribute to training, knowledge sharing, process improvements, and consistent best practices.

What You’ll Bring

• Education & Credentials: Bachelor’s degree preferred; paralegal certification is also preferred. Candidates working in California must satisfy applicable California paralegal requirements.
• Experience: 5–10+ years of relevant paralegal experience, ideally within a law firm or similarly sophisticated legal environment supporting complex corporate or transactional matters.
• Broad Transactional Background: Experience in one or more corporate or transactional areas, which may include mergers and acquisitions, private equity, capital markets, finance, investment funds, tax, real estate, intellectual property transactions, or related practices.
• Ownership & Judgment: Demonstrated ability to independently manage significant aspects of complex matters, anticipate needs, identify issues, and exercise sound judgment regarding when to elevate.
• Organization & Attention to Detail: Ability to manage multiple matters, substantial volumes of information, and competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy and a high standard of work.
• Communication & Client Service: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the professionalism to interact effectively with attorneys, clients, colleagues, and external parties.
• Technology: Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, document management systems, and the ability to learn and work effectively with practice-specific technology.
• Collaboration & Leadership: Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting the development of less-experienced colleagues.
• Adaptability: Ability to succeed in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and provide flexibility for overtime and occasional travel based on business and client needs.

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.