Attorney

Baird • Louisville, KY

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

As an Attorney in Baird’s Legal Department, you will provide practical legal counsel and transactional support to business leaders and functional partners, primarily involving vendor contracting, real estate, and related commercial matters. You will independently handle routine and defined assignments, with guidance and review tailored to each matter’s complexity, risk, and significance. As your experience and business knowledge grow, you may cross-train and support securities, regulatory, disclosure, and operational matters.

This is a full-time, hybrid role based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or Louisville, Kentucky. The role requires two days per week in the office, with additional in-person attendance as client and business needs require. Attorneys based in Louisville may occasionally travel to Milwaukee based on department and firm needs and their responsibilities.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• At least one year of relevant legal experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, or regulatory organization.
• Active admission in good standing to at least one U.S. state bar and ability to satisfy applicable practice requirements for the role.
• Working knowledge of contract principles, legal research methods, and the application of legal analysis to business matters.
• Strong legal research, analysis, drafting, contract review, and negotiation skills, along with strong written and verbal communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Sound legal judgment and ability to learn new subject matter quickly, manage competing priorities and deadlines, and develop practical solutions aligned with business goals.
• Ability to work independently on day-to-day assignments, with appropriate escalation and moderate guidance on new or more complex matters, and to collaborate across teams. Work may be reviewed at key points based on risk and significance.
• Ability to explain legal requirements and negotiate terms with business leaders, external counterparties, and attorneys while preserving productive relationships.
• Ability to use approved AI tools responsibly, validate outputs, protect confidential information, and maintain independent legal judgment.
• Ability and interest in supporting multiple areas of the firm and its legal needs through cross-training and progressively broader assignments.

Nice To Haves

• Rigorous law school coursework and strong academic achievement, such as graduation in the top 25% of the class, law review membership or honors, awards, or similar recognition.
• Experience with commercial contracts, corporate or transactional matters, securities regulation, and generative AI tools.
• Familiarity with commercial transactions, real estate leases, and investment advisory, broker-dealer, and securities regulation.
• Familiarity with legal technology and generative AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, and review vendor agreements and other commercial contracts in partnership with business leaders and functional stakeholders.
• Advise internal partners on contractual terms, legal risk, and practical approaches to routine-to-moderately complex commercial matters.
• Support real estate leases and related legal matters as assigned.
• Cross-train with attorneys across the Legal Department to develop knowledge of Baird’s businesses and legal needs.
• Conduct legal research and analysis and translate findings into concise, actionable guidance.
• Partner on projects involving new regulations, business initiatives, products, or process changes within assigned areas.
• Assist with securities, regulatory, disclosure, operational, and other legal matters based on department priorities and developing capabilities.
• Collaborate with attorneys and cross-functional partners, contribute to shared priorities, and expand team capacity.
• Learn and use approved legal technology and artificial intelligence tools thoughtfully and effectively, protecting confidential information and applying independent legal judgment to outputs.
• Develop a broad understanding of Baird’s businesses and operations and the legal and regulatory environment in which the firm operates.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits designed for employees’ lives, careers, and futures.
• Compensation and bonus commensurate with experience, performance, and/or firm profitability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree