Senior Paralegal

BMO•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Senior Paralegal, Corporate Governance provides legal and corporate secretarial support, working both independently and in partnership with counsel to mitigate legal, regulatory, and reputational risks. The role operates in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment requiring continual prioritization, strong organizational skills, and sound judgment. Key Responsibilities Corporate Governance & Legal Support Serve as Assistant Secretary for various BMO Financial Group (BFG) subsidiaries and affiliates; prepare meeting agendas, distribute materials, and draft meeting minutes. Maintain and update the corporate subsidiary database, ensuring accurate and complete information for identified subsidiaries and affiliates. Prepare incumbency certificates and other documentation related to officer signing authority. Catalog, organize, and store corporate records—including acquisition closing documents, agreements, settlement materials, and Board minutes. Manage state corporate filings for BFG’s U.S. subsidiaries, including annual reports and qualifications to do business. Work independently on special projects involving legal, corporate governance, and corporate secretarial matters. Develop solutions and make recommendations aligned with business strategy and stakeholder needs. Review and update operations manuals, procedures, and policies to ensure consistency and compliance. Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion while minimizing legal risk. Project & Stakeholder Management Lead or participate in cross-functional projects, managing timelines and preparing reports and presentations. Support the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Build effective working relationships across all levels of management and with external directors. Develop materials and requirements for meeting facilitation. Analysis & Data Management Break down strategic problems; analyze data and information to provide insights and recommendations. Execute tasks independently, delivering timely, accurate, and efficient support. Exercise judgment to identify, diagnose, and resolve issues within established guidelines. Work on a wide range of complex tasks, including unique or non-standard situations. May take on broader or enterprise-wide responsibilities as required.

Requirements

Approximately 7-10 years of relevant experience and a Paralegal Certificate or equivalent on‑the‑job training.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with all levels of management and external directors.
Exceptional organizational skills and strong writing abilities.
Demonstrated creative thinking and ability to propose innovative solutions.
Technical proficiency obtained through education and/or hands‑on experience.
In-depth skills in: Verbal and written communication Collaboration and teamwork Analytical and problem-solving Influence and stakeholder engagement Data-driven decision-making

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree and prior experience in a large law firm or in‑house legal department preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as Assistant Secretary for various BMO Financial Group (BFG) subsidiaries and affiliates; prepare meeting agendas, distribute materials, and draft meeting minutes.
Maintain and update the corporate subsidiary database, ensuring accurate and complete information for identified subsidiaries and affiliates.
Prepare incumbency certificates and other documentation related to officer signing authority.
Catalog, organize, and store corporate records—including acquisition closing documents, agreements, settlement materials, and Board minutes.
Manage state corporate filings for BFG’s U.S. subsidiaries, including annual reports and qualifications to do business.
Work independently on special projects involving legal, corporate governance, and corporate secretarial matters.
Develop solutions and make recommendations aligned with business strategy and stakeholder needs.
Review and update operations manuals, procedures, and policies to ensure consistency and compliance.
Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion while minimizing legal risk.
Lead or participate in cross-functional projects, managing timelines and preparing reports and presentations.
Support the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Build effective working relationships across all levels of management and with external directors.
Develop materials and requirements for meeting facilitation.
Break down strategic problems; analyze data and information to provide insights and recommendations.
Execute tasks independently, delivering timely, accurate, and efficient support.
Exercise judgment to identify, diagnose, and resolve issues within established guidelines.
Work on a wide range of complex tasks, including unique or non-standard situations.
May take on broader or enterprise-wide responsibilities as required.