General Counsel

Description

Position Summary:  This position is responsible for serving as a strategic, collaborative, service-driven advisor in the key role of the organization’s General Counsel.  This leadership role will take primary responsibility for the legal department and manage a Legal & Compliance Associate and Chief Compliance Officer for the Investment Banking and Wealth Management divisions of Sikich LLP.  

The scope and responsibilities of this position include negotiating, counseling and providing day-to-day advice on a wide range of corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, partnership and governance matters, outsourcing arrangements, commercial agreements, employment, policy and compliance issues and other types of transactional and general corporate matters. 

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee the transactional work of the firm’s legal function, including strategic agreements (mergers and acquisitions), commercial contracts and other business and technology transactions
• Coordinating and overseeing all legal aspects of the firm’s financings and re-financings
• Manage litigation and regulatory matters, including working closely with outside counsel and insurers on case budgets, case strategy and case resolution;
• Lead and assist the firm with identifying potential and existing areas of risk and working with the executive team and business unit leaders to appropriately assess and manage risk;
• Enhance and develop the firm’s policies, procedures and programs regarding risk management and compliance;
• Provide support and training to firm partners and employees on legal issues and firm policies;
• Manage corporate governance and partnership agreement compliance and issues;
• Provide counsel on employment matters in partnership with the CHRO;
• Ensure firm compliance with applicable professional regulations, as well as applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations;
• Serve as lead for the firm’s Risk Committee
• Drive and support efforts to reduce outside counsel spend; and
• Manage various special projects and deadlines. 

Qualifications

• 15+ years of legal experience (5+ years in either in-house or law firm M&A transaction legal experience is a plus)
• Self-starter with demonstrated initiative and creative problem-solving ability with business acumen.
• Requires a practical, business-oriented approach to problem-solving; candidate must be able to effectively counsel internal clients by providing them with clear, concise and commercial advice, and creative solutions where necessary, on established timelines to meet their business needs.
• Must be able to operate autonomously while being a team player who brings a positive, “can do” attitude to the workplace and works collaboratively with other members of the legal team and with internal clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks and handle high-pressure situations and short deadlines.
• Must be admitted, active and in good standing with the Illinois state bar or eligible for admission as Registered In-House Counsel.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment; adaptable to last minute changes. 

This description is a summary of the position and other duties and responsibilities will be assigned, as needed.  

Working at Sikich, you’ll become part of a highly motivated and competent team that values individual effort and growth while encouraging balance between your personal and work life. We recognize that our people are our most valuable asset—our employees drive our success.  Sikich is honored to have been named a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune and recognized nationally as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For. If you're looking to take your career to the next level, learn more about Sikich — and the possibilities for you. Visit us at sikich.com/careers.