Administrative Staff & Paralegals

To apply for a staff or paralegal position at Barack Ferrazzano, please submit your resume in Word format to (unless otherwise stated): careers@bfkn.com

Open Positions

Intellectual Property (IP) Docketing Specialist (Chicago, IL)

The IP Docketing Specialist works with the Intellectual Property team based in the Chicago office. This position is an integral part of a collaborative and dynamic team responsible for timely entry, audit, and ongoing review of IP data, with the primary goal of maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the docketing system. This position will report to the IP Docketing Manager and work with other talented IP Docketing team members, all of whom share a passion for client service and providing highly varied and complex support to our attorneys and paralegals. The position is non-exempt. Work is normally performed 8 AM-5 PM (40-hour week) with salary commensurate with experience.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist the IP Docketing Manager with daily docketing, proofing other team member’s docketing entries, and filing of IP communications (electronic and paper)
2. Assist the IP Docketing Manager with daily docket notifications of hard deadlines
3. Sorting of emails delivered to the IP Docketing Department for priority processing
4. Assist with special IP docketing projects as needed
5. Create queries from the docketing system and prepare reports in PDF, Word or Excel formats, based on criteria provided by attorneys/paralegals or as requested by clients
6. Assist the IP Docketing Manager with the intake/transfer of files from clients or prior counsel (including file organization, review, labeling, preparation of lists, reports, etc.)
7. Clean up/update client contact information in IP docketing system and maintain updated client information in the system on an ongoing basis
8. Annual review and audit of physical files for sending to off-site storage, assembling the files, boxing and labeling same, entering information into the firm’s box storage database and updating the IP docketing system accordingly
9. Consistent and predictable attendance
10. Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent
2. BA/BS in related field preferred - with an interest in IP legal work
3. A minimum of 2 years working in a law firm or company handling IP docketing duties (particularly, trademarks)
4. Working knowledge of CPi or similar docketing system and MS Office including Outlook, Word and Excel
5. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
6. Ability to prioritize and manage time within strict deadlines
7. Ability to organize work directed by multiple people and communicate conflicts to IP Docketing Manager
8. Highly proficient in time management, organization, planning and prioritization
9. Having enthusiasm, a positive attitude, team orientation, self-motivation, and sense of humor is a must

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT:

1. Work is normally performed in a typical office work environment
2. Ability to stand for extended periods of time
3. Public speaking
4. No or very limited exposure to physical risk

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal (Chicago, IL)

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP is looking for a paralegal with at least 5 to 7 years of commercial real estate experience in a law firm setting to join our 45 person real estate team. The Real Estate Group at Barack Ferrazzano has been a cornerstone of the Firm since its founding in 1984. We have earned the reputation as one of the premier real estate practices in the country, having been recently recognized by Chambers and Partners as among the top tier of real estate practice groups. The combined experience of Barack Ferrazzano’s real estate professionals encompasses virtually every aspect of real estate transactions, including the acquisition, development, leasing and sale of properties; the investment in, and financing of, real estate; and the restructuring of debt. Our attention to market realities and focus on business issues in formulating legal solutions results in value-added services for our clients. Barack Ferrazzano’s clients include publicly traded real estate investment trusts, private entrepreneurs, money center banks and other institutional lenders, pension fund advisors, private investment funds and other institutional investors, real estate developers and contractors, not-for-profit corporations, governmental agencies and other domestic and foreign owners of real estate in the United States.

This individual will work with our Real Estate Group on commercial real estate development projects, acquisitions, lending, leasing, and a wide variety of other projects. We offer a very competitive salary, excellent benefits package and a great work environment.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Leading the title and survey process for real estate transactions, including reviewing title commitments and surveys, drafting and responding to title and survey objection letters, and working directly with title underwriters to clear title and obtain title policies
2. Performing legal due diligence for commercial real estate transactions, including reviewing zoning and environmental reports, property tax records, and other documents
3. Forming and qualifying business entities in various states and preparing all associated charters, bylaws, and other general corporate forms
4. Management of transaction closings, including timelines and checklists and coordinating with internal and external parties to ensure the timely completion of all closing items
5. Preparing closing binders of all final transaction documents
6. Assisting with legal research and other related matters on an as needed basis

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate
2. A minimum of 5-7 years of law firm experience in a sophisticated commercial real estate practice
3. Must be detail oriented and have excellent organizational skills
4. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
5. Ability to work individually and in a team environment
6. Skilled in MS office, iManage, and time entry systems