SMS Assist Summary
At SMS Assist, we're not just in the business of fixing properties-we're fixing an entire industry. Typically, facilities maintenance is tough work-both in the nature of the job (plumbing, HVAC, snow removal) and the lack of clarity throughout the experience. We decided a better way wasn't only possible, but essential. Through our award-winning technology platform, built and powered by SMSers, we connect local contractors to our customers and help manage an experience that surpasses expectations.
Recognized on Forbes' Cloud 100 list, Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, Chicago Crain's Top Tech Employers, and more, SMS Assist manages more than 186,000 properties where people live and work. Our customers' livelihoods are in our hands-think a restaurant manager whose only fryer goes down on a busy Friday night or a family in Florida without power after a hurricane. We work across the industries that make up your community, including retail, food service, banking, residential, and more, and we help them find the right provider in our network (we call them Affiliates) in more than 45 trades.
We're innovators, disruptors, and out-of-the-box thinkers. We set each other up for success in the office and for the perfect spike on the volleyball court during an intramural game. We're community volunteers, karaoke partners, and lifelong friends. We're passionate about the people we serve, and we give our all because we care. We want to make every property better, and we want your help to make it happen.
Job Summary
This is a paid internship for a 10 week program in summer of 2022.
The SMS Assist Summer Internship program is a full-time, paid opportunity that will run this summer, usually a 10-week internship program that runs June through August. An internship at SMS Assist will provide an opportunity to work with a fast-paced, growing company in Chicago's vibrant technology scene.
Each intern in our summer group goes through one week of training together as a cohort and are placed in one of our departments, where they'll spend around 75% of their time throughout the summer. The other 25% is spent engaging in intern-specific activities and learning opportunities, such as executive lunch & learns, personal development workshops, and access throughout the company for informational interviews.
During the internship, the program interns will work together on an SMS Assist business case, and they will present their findings and ideas at the conclusion of the internship for SMS Assist leadership and other key team members. Of course, we have some fun social events thrown in there as well!
Core Responsibilities of the Legal Intern

• Gain hands-on experience by working on complex and diverse projects with SMS Assist attorneys on transactional, litigation, and compliance matters, as needed.
• Support the Legal team in conducting legal research and analysis on various assignments.
• Participate in transactional matters, which may include: reviewing complex commercial agreements, including customer agreements, subcontracts, vendor contracts, and consulting agreements; preparing and negotiating nondisclosure agreements; analyzing customer and vendor contracts; updating contract templates; reviewing and responding to RFPs; and assisting senior attorneys on the company's trademark and other intellectual property efforts.
• Assist in litigation management, which may include: pre-litigation claims and dispute resolution, including internal investigation in response to allegations, attending court proceedings, drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, negotiating settlements, and/or preparing associated memoranda and briefs.
• Assist in the Company's response to routine audits and customer-specific requests.
• Engage across the business building connections interdepartmentally, always with an eye toward understanding processes, functions, and impacts.
• Assist the Legal team with departmental planning.
• Actively participate in Legal team meetings.
• Take pride in developing innovative process designs and improvements for the Legal team work flow.

Key Competencies of the Legal Intern

• Strong research, writing, and communication skills
• Commitment to corporate, in-house legal work
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Entrepreneurial, "can do" attitude
• Resourceful and innovative
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality

Education and Experience

• Must be a rising 2L or 3L in an ABA-accredited law school
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future (we are unable to hire on F1 or OPT visas at this time for our summer program)
• Coursework in contracts, torts, legal writing, corporations/business associations and general business law
• Traits: Attention to detail, ability to work under pressure

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