Career Center

Associate – Private Client – Chicago

McDermott Will & Emery LLP is doing Big Law better by fostering your dream career in a warm, inclusive environment. We’ve been recognized as Vault’s #1 Law Firm for Associate Satisfaction for three consecutive years (2022-2024) and are a Top Workplaces winner in five national categories.

Our focus on career acceleration begins on day one, with every employee receiving personalized guidance, structured mentorship and confidential career coaching. You’ll become part of our award-winning culture, which prioritizes authenticity and happiness. And you’ll enjoy our industry-leading approach to compensation and benefits. We support your physical, mental, and emotional health and were the first firm to offer billable hours for wellness. Plus, lawyers and staff professionals receive generous compensation packages; our individual merit-based system enabled 65% of our associates to earn above the Cravath scale in 2022.

Join our community and discover how your career and life can be #AlwaysBetter at McDermott.

Job Description:

Our Chicago office is seeking a 4^th to 6^th year Associate to join our growing Private Client Group. Candidates must be submitted online through our web-apply portal for consideration. Questions can be directed to Amy Gillmore, Lateral Associate Recruiting Manger at agillmore@mwe.com

• 4-6 years of current subchapter k (tax) experience/partnership agreements
• Experience with trusts a bonus, but not required
• Ability to work well in a collaborative environment 

• First rate organizational skills and ability to manage productive relationships with clients and co-advisors
• Excellent writing, speaking, researching, and analytical skills, along with a strong academic background
• Must be admitted to the Illinois Bar

Expected Pay Range for Associates: 2023/2022 Class Compensation Years: $215,000

                                                           2021 Class Compensation Years: $225,000

                                                           2020 Class Compensation Years: $250,000

                                                           2019 Class Compensation Years: $295,000

                                                           2018 Class Compensation Years: $345,000

                                                           2017 Class Compensation Years: $370,000

                                                           2016 Class Compensation Years: $400,000

                                                          2015 and more senior class compensation years: $415,000

About McDermott Will & Emery LLP

If you’re passionate about your work and the difference it makes, if your clients’ success is your success and if you’re driven to be better every day, then we want you on our team. And there is no other team quite like McDermott. Even as we celebrate our differences and embrace our diverse perspectives, there is something we all share—a drive for constant improvement embedded in our DNA. It pushes us to be better partners to our clients, mentors to our associates, collaborators with our business professionals and change agents in our communities. We call it “#AlwaysBetter,” and it’s the McDermott mantra and our north star. Our clients see this firsthand in the way we help them pursue their boldest vision of tomorrow. They choose us, time and again, because we tirelessly pursue creative solutions to complex problems. And we work with them, as their trusted partners, every step of the way to make real progress toward their goals. We deliver on this commitment of #AlwaysBetter for our people too, providing best-in-class technology, extensive professional development and award-winning business development support. We know that nurturing a positive, high-performing—and,... yes, fun!—culture by investing in our people is critical to the long-term success of our Firm, and we make it a priority. That’s why more than 90% of our people consistently say they will go above and beyond to make McDermott succeed. In all that we do, this spirit shines through—leaving no doubt that our brightest, most exciting days are yet ahead. Join us.

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