Project Assistant at Katten in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Katten is a firm of first choice for clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services in the United States and abroad. Our nationally recognized practices include corporate, financial services, litigation, real estate, environmental, commercial finance, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, and trusts and estates. Our more than 650 attorneys serve public and private companies, including a third of the Fortune 100, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. We provide full-service legal advice from locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai.

Project Assistant

The Project Assistant is responsible for performing clerical tasks and providing assistance in the areas of secure lending transactions and, in connection therewith, assist in the preparation of closing books and uniform commercial case financing statements.  The Project Assistant will also handle billing matters.  The Project Assistant maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and Firm matters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Client billable hour requirement:  1,500 hours annually (125 client billable hours average per month).

• Assist attorneys and paralegals with document production, UCC financing statements, lien searches and intellectual property searches, preparation of closing books for completed transactions, and special projects as requested. Perform file organization and maintenance.


• Communicate with clients, opposing counsel, and other third parties regarding the delivery of closing books and other related transaction deliveries.


• Maintain up-to-date time reports to ensure accurate client billing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Paralegal Certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program a plus.  One or more year’s related experience preferably in a law firm environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 


• Computer literate with knowledge of Internet searching, Outlook, Word and Excel preferred.


• Excellent organizational skills including record keeping, data collection, and system information.  Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish information in report format, written correspondence, e-mail, or verbally.


• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.  Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, staff, and outside contacts.


• Analytical skills requiring an aptitude for detail and accuracy in order to perform clerical duties as requested, process information, and perform essential duties.  Proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution, and follow-through skills. 


• Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment.  Ability to act independently and make routine decisions within scope of the position’s responsibilities. 


• Possess excellent knowledge of reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and formatting in order to interpret source data, prepare litigation documents and forms, proofread material for grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, and perform file maintenance.


• Ability to operate standard office equipment including computer, laser printer, telephone, photocopier, calculator, scanner, facsimile, etc.


• Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation and copies, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.


• Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.

We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution; transportation fringe benefit program; back-up care option; generous paid time off policy; and long-term and short-term disability policies.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AA-M/F/SO/Disability/Veteran.

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