Description:

Established and respected DuPage County law firm seeks a Commercial Litigation Associate Attorney with 3–5 years of experience to join our growing litigation practice.

We are a close-knit, five-attorney firm with thriving commercial transactional, estate planning/business succession, and litigation practices. Our litigation practice continues to grow, and we are looking for a motivated, detail-oriented associate to work directly with and support an experienced litigation partner in handling a diverse caseload of sophisticated commercial and complex civil litigation matters.

The successful candidate will work closely with two partners with substantial litigation experience. The primary focus of this position will be supporting a litigation partner in all phases of litigation, including case development, discovery, motion practice, depositions, hearings, and trial preparation. The associate will have substantial opportunities for hands-on experience, direct client interaction, and increasing responsibility as their skills and experience develop.

We are looking for an attorney who enjoys litigation, takes pride in excellent written work product, and is eager to learn from experienced litigators while making meaningful contributions to the firm's cases. Portable business is not required.

We are a close-knit group of attorneys who genuinely like and support one another. Our office and personalities are casual and low-ego, but we are Type A about our work product, preparation, responsiveness, and client service. We work hard, collaborate constantly, and take pride in producing excellent work without unnecessary law-firm formality or politics.

Responsibilities:

Work directly with a litigation partner to assist in managing commercial and complex civil litigation matters from inception through resolution.
Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, and other substantive legal documents.
Assist in developing litigation strategies, analyzing legal issues, and evaluating case strengths and weaknesses.
Draft and respond to written discovery, review and analyze document productions, and assist with discovery disputes.
Prepare for, take, and defend fact and expert depositions, with guidance and support from experienced litigation partners.
Assist with preparation for contested motions, evidentiary hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and trials.
Attend court proceedings, depositions, mediations, and client meetings, with opportunities to independently handle proceedings as experience permits.
Communicate with clients, opposing counsel, and other parties regarding case developments, discovery, and litigation matters.
Manage assigned projects, deadlines, and responsibilities while collaborating closely with the supervising partner and other attorneys.
Provide proactive, reliable support to the litigation partner in advancing cases efficiently and effectively.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor degree and active Illinois law license.
3–5 years of commercial litigation or complex civil litigation experience.
Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
Experience drafting substantive motions, pleadings, and discovery.
Experience preparing for or participating in depositions and court proceedings.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
Excellent attention to detail, responsiveness, and commitment to producing high-quality work product.
Ability to work both independently on assigned projects and collaboratively under the direction of a litigation partner.
Willingness to take initiative, accept constructive feedback, and develop professionally through hands-on experience and mentorship.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Westlaw.