Chicago, IL, USA
11 days ago
Legal Assistant

Department

Law Corporate and Legal Affairs


About the Department

The University of Chicago Law School occupies a unique niche among this country's premier law schools. Located on a residential campus in one of America's great cities, UChicago Law offers a rigorous and interdisciplinary professional education that blends the study of law with the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Students, faculty, and staff form a small, tightly knit community devoted to the life of the mind.


Job Summary

This position directly supports two clinical professors in the Law School’s Corporate Lab. The Kirkland & Ellis Corporate Lab aims to provide students with real-world experience and context, to prepare them to become well-rounded legal practitioners with sound legal and business judgment, and to afford them with opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects with multinational companies. By working on actual projects and through classroom instruction, students in the Kirkland & Ellis Corporate Lab learn practical legal and business skills and knowledge. This Legal Assistant position supports the clinical professors with administrative tasks related to the Kirkland & Ellis Corporate Lab.

Responsibilities

Provides administrative support for two clinical professors and for student directors as needed, while maintaining awareness of any unique requirements of particular assignments or projects. 

Prepares and/or reviews drafts of memoranda regarding various issues pertaining to corporate law. 

Conducts citation checks of memoranda drafted by student teams and assists students with research questions and proofreading written materials, using library resources and other available resources to ensure that all work is completed properly and on time. 

Assists clinical professors in reviewing letters of recommendation, syllabus materials, and student project summaries for clients. 

Attends and helps document meetings with clients, principally Fortune 200 clients, and supports clinical professors and students in communicating with clients and managing deadlines. 

Creates and maintains an efficient filing system, including a searchable electronic database. Accurately organizes documents and, where applicable, files documents in binders. Maintains files in electronic format when possible. 

Coordinates travel, conference arrangements, and logistics for speaking events as needed. 

Efficiently handles and sorts mail, coordinates deadlines, drafts cover letters, prepares labels, air courier forms, and the mailing process (responsible for coordinating document production). 

Completes office-related forms and reports, including expense reports, with necessary information. Becomes familiar with software for expense reimbursement and for the client management database.  

Is responsible for phone coverage for assignments. Takes messages accurately and legibly; handle calls and voice mail in professors’ absence; maintains records of necessary names and phone numbers. 

Covers other desk assignments when needed and offers assistance to students as needed. 

Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate. 

Interacts with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information. 

Performs other related work as needed. 


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.


Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.


Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications 

 

Education: 

Bachelor's Degree with a liberal arts background is strongly preferred. 

 

Experience: 

Experience in an administrative role is strongly preferred.  

Experience working in higher education or a legal setting is strongly preferred.  

Current undergraduate students expecting to graduate in spring or summer 2025 are welcome to apply. This position is ideal for those considering law school in the future.  

 

Preferred Competencies 

Knowledge of legal and/or academic environments. 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

Legal research and writing skills. 

Strong organizational and time management skills and attention to detail. 

Superior interpersonal and customer service skills, and experience meeting the needs and goals of clients. 

Ability to work under pressure and within deadlines. 

High degree of initiative and self-motivation. 

Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and any practice related software. 

 

Working Conditions

This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week. 

 

Application Documents 

Resume/CV (required) 

Cover Letter (required) 


When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.


Job Family

Administration & Management


Role Impact

Individual Contributor


Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5


Drug Test Required

No


Health Screen Required

No


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No


Pay Rate Type

Hourly


FLSA Status

Non-Exempt


Pay Range

$25.64 - $30.77

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.


Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.


Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Confirm your E-mail: Send Email