Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres and Point of Difference Strategies are seeking a full-time Executive Assistant to support the President and Owner of PoDS, and who also has ownership in CFDB. Your primary role will be to provide comprehensive administrative, organizational, and case-related support. To be successful in this role, you must be professional, polished, and detail-oriented while also being proactive and resourceful. You should be flexible, prepared, and responsive, with the ability to anticipate needs and address challenges before they arise. The ideal candidate is comfortable managing complex calendars and competing priorities, assisting with both professional and personal tasks, and communicating effectively in writing and in person. This is an on-site position in the Chicago loop (5 days per week).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the President’s complex and high-volume calendar, including coordinating internal meetings, client meetings, government official meetings, and internal Firm leadership meetings. Proactively identify and resolve scheduling conflicts confirming logistics and availability.
• Perform expert-level document preparation tasks, including drafting and formatting memos, client pitch decks, legislative summaries, reports, and other professional documents for review and presentation.
• Provide administrative support for the President’s Firm management and government affairs responsibilities, including tracking and following up on action items related to Illinois state and federal lobbying efforts. Assist with internal communications and coordination across practice groups, departments, and government affairs teams.
• Arrange all travel and accommodations for the President, including booking flights, ground transportation, hotel reservations, and restaurant reservations, and submit reimbursement requests. Support the planning and coordination of Firm events, client entertainment, government affairs functions, and business development activities.
• Provide support with personal errands and tasks as requested, including shopping, personal travel arrangements, household management activities, personal projects, and scheduling personal appointments.
• Work closely with attorneys, lobbyists, paralegals, and administrative staff across multiple practice areas.

Qualifications:

• In-depth proficiency with the full Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Familiarity with legal-specific software such as document management systems, e-filing platforms, and billing or timekeeping applications. Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new or updated technology.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of tasks and competing priorities simultaneously. Proven ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Professional-level verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently and diplomatically with attorneys, lobbyists, clients, government officials, and Firm leadership.
• Ability to handle personal, sensitive, and confidential information, including privileged attorney-client communications, government affairs strategy, and Firm management matters, with the highest level of discretion and sound judgment.
• A proactive approach to identifying issues and implementing solutions, with strong decision-making skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Education & Experience

• Preferred bachelor’s degree or the equivalent relevant work experience.
• Successful candidates will have experience as an executive assistant or in a senior administrative support role, with a strong preference for experience supporting attorneys or government affairs professionals at a law firm or lobbying practice.
• Experience supporting senior leadership or managing partner-level attorneys and government affairs professionals is a significant plus.

Benefits

We contribute to voluntary medical, dental, and vision plans. Offer FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits. Firm-paid STD & LTD. Benefits offered to those scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week. Retirement savings plan. Flexible paid time off days.

Our firms are 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.

About Us

Point of Difference Strategies (PoDS) is the largest wholly Latina-owned lobbying firm in Illinois, with offices in Chicago and Springfield. We specialize in strategic advice, advocacy, and relationship management, providing top-tier government affairs and lobbying services at the federal, state, and local levels. Our team excels in bill tracking, drafting, and analysis, and is known for building strong, lasting relationships with elected officials and industry stakeholders. Our clients span diverse sectors, including municipalities, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and economic development, allowing us to tailor our expertise to the unique needs of each client.

Our attorneys and lobbyists work closely with our law firm, Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres (CFDB). It is a growing law firm headquartered in Chicago, with a team of over 150 attorneys, lobbyists, and staff. Formed by partners who worked at preeminent international law firms, with a deep bench of sophisticated and experienced corporate lawyers, litigators, and government affairs professionals, our team provides exceptional legal and advocacy 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.

Both firms represent a diverse group of interesting clients, which include elected officials and government representatives, private equity firms, founders, startups, venture capital investors, family offices and public companies (among others), in sophisticated and complex legal matters, transactions, and Illinois state and federal government affairs and lobbying efforts.