Entry Level Global Finance Paralegal

Sidley Austin•Chicago, IL

4d•$85,000 - $108,000

About The Position

This is an entry-level opportunity to develop corporate finance paralegal skills and expertise by supporting complex, high-value lending and structured finance matters in a collaborative environment. The role offers the opportunity to exercise responsibility and independent judgment while working under the supervision of attorneys and senior paralegals on transaction and closing activities. The paralegal will learn the chronology and documentation of finance transactions; assist with closings and post-closing processes; coordinate workflows; prepare and review transaction documents and filing materials; and communicate with attorneys, clients, opposing counsel, filing offices, and third-party vendors. The role also involves developing knowledge of lien searches, corporate entities and documents, UCC Article 8 and 9, and the procedures for handling possessory collateral and closing materials. The demands of the transactional practice may require overtime during active closings and other periods of increased activity. The target salary range is $85,000–$108,000 for candidates located in Illinois. Salary varies by location and is based on factors including market, skills, experience, and education. Compensation also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
0–3 years of paralegal experience supporting commercial finance, secured lending, securitization, or other financial transactions in a law firm or comparable professional-services environment.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple transactions, deadlines, and competing priorities.
Excellent attention to detail, judgment, communication, and follow-through.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced transactional practice.
Strong interpersonal communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with others.
Ability to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion.
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities.

Nice To Haves

Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program.
Knowledge of how to perform internet research and searches.

Responsibilities

Develop an understanding of negotiated lending and structured finance transactions and support lawyers and clients on those transactions.
Learn transaction chronology and assist with closings by preparing and compiling deliverables, drafting closing documentation, maintaining closing checklists, and obtaining and reviewing formation documents under attorney or senior paralegal supervision.
Develop knowledge of finance closing documents, including public records, lien searches, certificates, resolutions, service-of-process appointments, public filings, and signature pages.
Learn lien-search purposes and types, where and how to search for liens, how to engage corporate service providers, and how to review search results.
Learn entity types and how to order and review corporate documents, including good standing certificates.
Prepare and circulate signature pages, including through DocuSign or other electronic platforms when appropriate.
Develop an understanding of procedures for delivering original notes, equity certificates, and other possessory collateral, and facilitate delivery under supervision.
Coordinate transaction workflows and manage closing and post-closing processes under supervision.
Review closing documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with transaction requirements; identify open items and coordinate their completion and delivery with a senior paralegal or attorney.
Develop knowledge of basic UCC Article 8 and 9 concepts, including UCC-1 filings, UCC-3 filings, collateral descriptions, and UCC review procedures; prepare UCC filing schedules and gain experience preparing and filing financing statements, amendments, continuations, and terminations.
Research and analyze Article 9 issues and other UCC matters.
Assemble master closing sets and prepare and distribute electronic closing sets and closing books when applicable.
Learn how to set up a virtual or physical data room.
Communicate effectively with paralegals, attorneys, clients, opposing counsel, filing offices, and third-party vendors.
Assist with other transactional and team responsibilities as needed.