Corporate Legal Assistant

Equity Residential (EQR), an S&P 500 real estate company headquartered in downtown Chicago, is in search of a detail-oriented, resourceful, flexible, and efficient Legal Assistant. As Legal Assistant, you will be responsible for providing assistance to the Corporate Legal Department with its ongoing responsibilities and periodic special projects. Every day will be unique, allowing you to regularly learn new things and challenging you to think on your feet. 

• An Energetic Legal Assistant. To help you quickly transition into this position, you’ve got at least 1 year of previous office experience under your belt, preferably in a corporate legal department.
• Detail-Oriented, Accountable, and Enjoy Multitasking. You have a keen eye for detail and pride yourself on delivering quality work, ensuring that all documentation is prepared in an accurate and professional manner. You are organized and able to juggle multiple tasks and meet deadlines consistently—even if they’re tight.  Above all, you are flexible and able to adjust to the changing priorities of the business and/or the corporate legal office you support.
• An Excellent Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear and effective, helping you communicate with all levels of the organization, from management to co-workers to outside legal counsel. You know how to organize your communication in order to effectively get your message across and be understood.
• Trustworthy and Discerning.  The ability to work with confidential information, while using discretion, is crucial to this position.
• Reliable. Because you consistently follow through on meeting your deliverables, your co-workers and business partners are confident that they can count on you.
• Technologically Savvy. Tools like email and internet access start as basic necessities in your daily operation and you are comfortable using computers. You are proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) and also enjoy learning new tools, technology, and/or software to help you most effectively get the job done.

• Work with CT Corporation to ensure that the annual/biennial reports and state franchise tax returns for Equity Residential and its subsidiaries (currently 900+ entities) are prepared and filed in a timely manner and handling the reinstatement of any entities that are not in good standing.
• Edit the agendas for Board and committee meetings, compiling the documents from all contributing departments and building the books for the meetings in Diligent, the Board portal.
• Handle requests for corporate information, documentation and good standing certificates.
• Maintain the entity subsidiary list that is attached to the 10K.
• Prepare the quarterly SOX certifications.
• Communicate with outside partners regarding address changes and the assignment, exchange or redemption of ownership units. Distribute quarterly financial statements to the various partners.
• Act as a backup to the Senior Corporate Paralegal in preparing and filing Form 3s, 4s, and 5s with the SEC.
• Prepare and review 1031 exchange forms.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of Confidentiality Agreements.
• Do research and update various corporate governance materials.
• Distribute documents for execution and maintain Corporate Legal files.
• Perform other duties and participate in special projects as necessary.

• High School Diploma required; associated Degree and at least one year of office experience preferred.
• Must be able to handle a large volume in a timely manner, most under a predictable deadline throughout the year.
• Responsible, flexible, well-organized, detail-oriented, with an ability to multi-task well.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Familiarity with current technology such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Acrobat, and Google Chrome.
• Familiarity with Google Docs, Diligent and hCue preferred.

We recognize everyone has different needs outside of work. That’s why, in addition to a competitive benefits package (medical, dental, vision and paid time off), we offer many unique benefits options to employees, like pet insurance and paid time off for community service projects. To learn more, view our Total Wellbeing page here.