Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres is a growing law firm headquartered in Chicago, with a team of over 100 attorneys and staff. Formed by partners who worked at preeminent international law firms, with a deep bench of sophisticated and experienced corporate lawyers and litigators, our team provides exceptional legal service while affording our clients the benefits of working with an agile and entrepreneurial-minded team of results-oriented, well-rounded professionals. We are driven by our core values: humility, respect, collaboration, partnership, and innovation.

We represent a diverse group of interesting clients, which include private equity firms, founders, startups, venture capital investors, family offices and public companies (among others), in sophisticated and complex legal matters and transactions.

As a Corporate Paralegal, you work directly with practice groups on complex matters that require paralegal support. By fostering a collaborative environment, you facilitate smooth legal processes and contribute to the overall success of the legal practice groups. You will maintain the standards of legal assistance, optimize workflows, and your work aligns with the Firm’s objectives and compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Corporate Filings and Documentation:

• Demonstrates expertise in the formation, qualification, maintenance, amendments, and dissolution of corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other business entities. Assists with associated legal filings.
• Conducts name availability searches and reserves entity names as needed.
• Prepares SS-4 forms and obtains Employer Identification Numbers (EINs).
• Knowledgeable in preparing IRS Form 8832 and 83(b) election forms.
• Experienced in drafting initial organizational documents, including bylaws, operating agreements, consents, stock purchase agreements, stock option and equity incentive plans, stock certificates, and related documentation.

2. Corporate Governance:

• Maintain corporate records, minute books, and corporate compliance documents.
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including maintaining entity status and annual reports and similar filings for corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships in Delaware, Illinois, and other jurisdictions.
• Assist with the preparation of corporate governance documents, including meeting agendas, minutes, consents, and certifications.
• Facilitate board and shareholder meetings by organizing materials and providing documentation.

3. Transactional Support:

• Supports attorneys with M&A and real estate transactions, including due diligence, document management, and post-closing activities.
• Compiles and organizes due diligence documents and prepares closing binders.
• Orders and reviews title clearance documents, payoff letters, and surveys; prepares title and survey reviews.
• Experience in drafting UCC-1 and UCC-3 financing statement filings, amendments, terminations and ordering UCC, litigation, tax lien and other searches.
• Coordinates with vendors to obtain organizational documents, articles of incorporation, and certificates of good standing, resolving any related issues.
• Manages closing and post-closing tasks independently and in connection with M&A, corporate finance, and real estate matters.
• Coordinate with clients, third-party vendors, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth transactions.

4. Legal Research and Analysis:

• Conduct research on statutes, regulations, and industry best practices relevant to corporate compliance and governance.
• Provide summaries and updates on applicable laws that may impact client entities.

5. Client and Internal Communication:

• Communicate directly with clients to collect necessary information and documentation.
• Work closely with attorneys, administrative staff, and clients to address requests and complete projects efficiently.
• Respond to client inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

6. Administrative Support:

• Manage calendars and deadlines for corporate compliance and regulatory filings.
• Organize and maintain both physical and electronic files.
• Assist in billing and tracking time entries related to client projects.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience in law, business, or related fields.
• Paralegal Certificate from an accredited program preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience as a corporate paralegal and real estate paralegal, preferably in a law firm setting.
• Strong knowledge of corporate and/or real estate law, regulatory requirements, and legal documentation processes.
• Strong knowledge in Carta and CTA filings.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Proficiency with legal research platforms and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Benefits:

The Firm contributes to voluntary medical, dental, and vision plans. Offers FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits. Firm-paid STD & LTD. Retirement savings plan. Unlimited PTO.

Croke Fairchild is WBE Certified and a member of the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF).

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of CFDB not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This applies to all employment decisions.