We are looking for a detail-oriented and diplomatic Collections Specialist / Collections Manager to own the firm’s accounts receivable collection process and client credit assessment function. In this role, you will work directly with attorneys, billing staff, and clients to keep receivables timely, reduce write-offs, and protect the firm’s cash flow. You will also assess the creditworthiness of prospective clients during new business intake and recommend whether to extend standard credit terms or require an advance fee deposit or retainer.

Responsibilities

• Collections and Accounts Receivable
• Manage collection activity for outstanding client accounts and maintain clear documentation of communications, commitments, and next steps.
• Review accounts receivable aging regularly and prioritize follow-up based on balance, age, payment history, and financial risk.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding past-due balances, payment status, and payment arrangements.
• Partner with attorneys to address sensitive, disputed, or significantly aged receivables while preserving client relationships.
• Monitor payment commitments and escalate missed or unresolved obligations appropriately.
• Research account discrepancies and coordinate with billing and finance team members to resolve issues affecting payment.
• Recommend payment plans, write-offs, reserves, or other collection actions when appropriate.

Credit and Client Risk Assessment

• Evaluate prospective clients and matters for credit viability using available financial, commercial, and payment information.
• Recommend whether the firm should extend standard payment terms or require an advance, replenishing, evergreen, or other approved retainer arrangement.
• Identify elevated financial risk and communicate clear, practical recommendations to the Assistant Controller and responsible attorneys.
• Maintain consistent documentation supporting credit and retainer recommendations.
• Monitor existing clients for changes in payment behavior or financial risk and recommend adjustments to credit terms or retainer requirements.

Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare regular updates regarding aged receivables, collection activity, payment arrangements, and high-risk accounts.
• Analyze collection and payment trends to identify recurring issues and opportunities to improve cash flow.
• Maintain reliable collection records and account notes within the firm’s financial systems.
• Support the Assistant Controller with collection forecasting, write-off analysis, and other accounts receivable reporting.

Process Improvement and Collaboration

• Develop and maintain consistent collection procedures, communication templates, escalation practices, and credit evaluation standards.
• Coordinate with attorneys, billing professionals, client intake personnel, and finance leadership on collection and credit matters.
• Recommend process improvements that strengthen financial controls, reduce aged receivables, and identify credit concerns earlier.
• Handle client and financial information with discretion, sound judgment, and appropriate confidentiality.

Skills and Abilities

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-8 years of collections or accounts receivable experience, including at least 4 years in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting credit evaluations and making credit term recommendations.
• Strong working knowledge of legal billing and financial systems and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient in using technology such as collections AI software/DnB or similar platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to hold firm but professional conversations with clients and attorneys at all levels.
• Strong negotiation, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to manage a high-volume portfolio on your own.
• High degree of discretion and integrity in handling confidential client and financial information.

Preferred

• Experience in a law firm or comparable mid-size professional services firm.
• Familiarity with attorney professional responsibility rules affecting fee collection, including client confidentiality, handling of advance fees and client trust funds, fee dispute and fee arbitration procedures, and limits on collection activity.
• Working knowledge of applicable debt collection laws, including state laws that may apply to original creditors.
• Credit or collections certification (e.g., NACM Credit Business Associate (CBA) or Certified Credit and Risk Analyst (CCRA)).
• Experience with electronic billing platforms and outside counsel guidelines for corporate and insurance clients.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.

Benefits:

Croke Fairchild contributes to voluntary medical, dental, and vision plans. Offers 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.

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.

About Us

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres is a growing law firm headquartered in Chicago, with a team of over 150 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.

Point of Difference Strategies is one of the largest lobbying and government affairs firms in Illinois. With offices in Chicago and Springfield, PoDS offers top-tier government affairs and lobbying services at the federal, state, and local levels. PoDS proudly serves a diverse client base, including local governments, trade organizations, Fortune 100 companies, and nonprofits.

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres and Point of Difference Strategies partner in providing the best, most comprehensive legal and government affairs services to their clients.