Kearney Corporate Counsel

Full-timeAmericasChicago

Job Description

The Corporate Counsel role will report to Kearney’s Associate General Counsel for the Americas. This is an outstanding opportunity for a strong, versatile and solution-oriented corporate/commercial lawyer to join a premier management consulting firm as a part of a highly respected global in-house legal team. This attorney will work closely with all members of the legal department, all corporate functions, and numerous consulting partners, supporting all aspects of the firm’s operations in the Americas. This individual will play a leading role in negotiating contracts for the firm’s professional services offerings as well as a wide variety of agreements in which Kearney may be either a client or a vendor (e.g., software licenses, independent contractor agreements). This position is based in Chicago, Illinois and will have a hybrid schedule of 1-2 days per week in the Chicago Loop office.

Key responsibilities 

  • Negotiate a wide variety of commercial contracts with the firm’s clients and vendors, commonly under tight deadlines.
  • Support the firm’s consultants in the delivery of services across the complete contract and project lifecycle. 
  • Maintain organized records of completed contracts to facilitate recordkeeping and future review.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies and protocols regarding contracting.
  • Proactively review company policies, programs and third-party vendor contracts for risk mitigation purposes. 
  • Provide auxiliary support to other members of the Americas legal team, as well as other management functions, on a variety of topics (e.g., acquisitions, employment matters, data privacy issues, dispute resolution).
  • Work independently, with other team members and with outside counsel as appropriate.   

Who you are 

After nearly 100 years, we know this business is fundamentally about making connections—between facts, figures, insights, strategies, tools, technologies, and above all, people. That’s why we look for collaborative, insightful, and inquisitive problem-solvers who don’t accept the first thing in front of them and who are always unapologetically themselves. 

We want to hear from you if you: 

  • Hold a JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to the IL, NY or CA bar (required).
  • Have at least four to six (4-6) years of experience in a law firm (strongly preferred), corporate environment (preferred), and/or government role.
  • Have a well-rounded corporate and commercial legal background, as well as some experience with the international business/legal environment.
  • Have experience with intellectual property issues, especially regarding software/SaaS licensing and development.
  • Have experience with legal AI tools/LLMs, or the application of general-purpose LLMs/AI tools to the practice of law.
  • Thrive in both team-based and independent work within a fast-paced, thoughtful, and innovative environment.
  • Exhibit relentless dedication to excellence and high-quality work, while remaining personable, warm, and caring.
  • Are self-directed, comfortable with ambiguity, quick to learn, and continuously seek personal and organizational growth.
  • Embrace coaching and feedback, adapting to apply lessons learned.
  • Combine strong business acumen with legal insight, understanding the broader implications of legal advice and partnering effectively with leadership.
  • Demonstrate sound judgment, gravitas, and confidence, balanced with humility, respect, and team spirit.
  • Think creatively and solve problems under pressure, managing multiple priorities across time zones with a commitment to ongoing improvement.
  • Bring a proactive, positive attitude and willingness to “roll up your sleeves,” embracing all tasks with a collaborative mindset.
  • Are fluent in English; Spanish fluency and/or LATAM experience a plus 

What we can offer you 

Every day, our people work to be the difference for our clients, our communities, and our colleagues. Helping them make an impact, they are sustained by a competitive remuneration package plus comprehensive benefits and perks, including but not limited to: 

  • Generous retirement/pension savings contributions
  • Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and their families
  • Structured and on-the-job learning and development opportunities
  • Personalized career journeys to pursue your personal and professional goals 

Corporate Counsel compensation range: $175k – $190k. It is important to note that at Kearney, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role. Individual salaries within each range are determined through a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills. Kearney reviews compensation regularly and may adjust base salaries to reflect market competitiveness. In addition to salary, individuals may be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus. Our full suite of benefits includes paid time off, paid sick time off, 401(k) match and profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, healthcare concierge, backup child/adult care, annual employer HSA contribution, home office stipend, subsidized gym membership and annual wellness program, and leaves of absence when needed to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Read more about our benefits and a career at Kearney.com/careers.