The Compliance Paralegal supports the Legal function of a large, multi‑jurisdictional architectural practice operating across multiple countries and regulatory regimes. This role assists with compliance related to professional licensure, regulatory obligations, ethics, risk management, and project‑based compliance requirements. The Compliance Paralegal works closely with attorneys, administrative professionals, and business teams to help ensure the firm operates in accordance with applicable laws, professional standards, and internal policies across all jurisdictions in which it practices.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory & Professional Compliance
- Assist with the implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of compliance programs and internal controls
- Assist in monitoring and supporting compliance with laws and regulations applicable to architectural and professional services firms, including:
- Professional licensure and registration requirements
- Local and international business regulations
- Anti‑bribery and corruption laws
- Trade, sanctions, and export control considerations (as applicable)
- Track firm and key individual professional licenses, certifications, and renewals across multiple jurisdictions
- Support compliance with professional codes of conduct and ethical standards governing architects and design professionals
Policy & Governance Support
- Maintain compliance calendars, regulatory deadlines, and reporting requirements
- Help manage regulatory filings, certifications, and disclosures
- Support responses to regulatory inquiries and examinations
Investigations, Audits & Risk Management
- Assist with internal compliance reviews, audits, and investigations
- Collect, organize, and manage documents relating to compliance matters
- Help document findings, remediation actions, and follow‑up measures
- Support compliance‑related insurance, risk assessments, and claims documentation
Legal & Administrative Support
- Conduct legal and regulatory research under attorney supervision, including jurisdiction‑specific compliance issues
- Prepare summaries, reports, and dashboards for Legal, Compliance, and Risk leadership
- Prepare shareholder resolutions and secretary’s certificates under attorney supervision
- Maintain organized and confidential compliance and legal files
Qualifications
Required
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree (paralegal studies, legal studies, business, or related field)
- Paralegal certificate preferred or equivalent professional experience
- 2+ years of experience in a legal, compliance, risk, or regulatory support role
- Strong attention to detail and document‑management skills
- Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and document management systems
Preferred
- Experience supporting a professional services firm (architecture or engineering)
- Experience working in or supporting multi‑jurisdictional or international operations
- Familiarity with:
- Professional licensing and registration tracking
- Compliance programs in regulated or project‑driven environments
- Corporate governance documents for professionally licensed entities
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Highly organized with ability to manage multiple deadlines across jurisdictions
- Sound judgment and discretion
- Collaborative, proactive, and detail‑oriented
- Ability to adapt to evolving regulatory and business requirements
Work Environment
- Fast‑paced, creative, entrepreneurial professional services environment
- Interaction with global teams and external stakeholders
- Periodic deadline‑driven workload tied to regulatory filings and audits
Salary Range Information
We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, the annual pay salary range for this position is between $75,000 to $90,000, commensurate with qualifications and dependent on geographic location.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Perkins&Will Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
410 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, United States, 60611
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