ECHO Incorporated is an industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, professional-grade, handheld outdoor power equipment. With distributors and thousands of dealers across North and South America, ECHO is constantly anticipating the future of the outdoor power equipment industry and the need for environmental sustainability. Working for ECHO means joining a team of people who are committed to collaboration, innovation, creativity, and high-quality products that make us a globally competitive brand.

Echo is adding a new full time Corporate Paralegal/Contracts Administrator to our growing team! The incumbent will serve as a key business advisor on all legal matters involving ECHO and its affiliated business partners.

This position will be primarily onsite at our Lake Zurich, IL location but will have some flexibility to work from home.

Some of our benefits include:

• 11 paid holidays
• Extremely affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid PTO
• 5% 401K match
• Tuition Reimbursement

Corporate Paralegal Duties/Responsibilities:

Contract Negotiation, Case Management, and Executive Support & Reporting

• Manage intake of and coordinate legal projects from business units, including contract review requests.
• Assist outside Counsel and internal business units in the negotiation, drafting, and administration of new or existing contracts.
• Directly negotiating commercial contracts on the company’s behalf, while assessing risk and providing recommendations to internal business units and legal counsel to protect the company’s interests.
• Develop and implement best practices and process improvements to manage contracts.
• Review and evaluate legal strategy in response to any litigation, claims or demands (in conjunction with outside counsel).
• Assist executive team with decisions on individual contracts regarding approvals and the need for escalation for further review, including escalating discrepancies and other issues to outside attorneys as needed.
• Develop and provide training on legal issues, processes and policies to multi-level, multi-functional audiences in all departments.
• Maintain knowledge of the company's legal documents and operations; Organize, manage, and archive legal documents (such as NDA’s, open and closed litigation). Maintain an up-to-date library of historical contracts and company legal documents, including forms and templates.
• Maintain Company database of Trademarks and Patents and work with outside counsel to coordinate trademark searches in U.S. and International databases when needed.

Corporate Governance, Regulatory, Insurance & Administration

• Monitor existing laws and regulations, and agency announcements and advise executive and senior management on new or changing laws or regulations impacting company business operations.
• Manage corporate governance matters such as drafting of Annual and Special Directors resolutions, minutes, and officer and director appointments across company, parent, and subsidiaries; coordinate with shareholder and affiliates for signatures, circulation and storing of original and digital records (including articles of incorporation, bylaws, shareholder agreements, and meeting minutes).
• Work closely with other departments, including HR and Finance, to assure compliance with all regulatory filing requirements, etc.
• Manage state and local filing and license requirements for multiple business entities, including registrations and annual reports, business licenses, professional licenses, etc.
• Manage outside counsel invoicing, legal fee budget & forecasts, other special projects.
• Oversee Corporate Insurance Administration: work with insurance broker and finance team to coordinate annual corporate policy renewal, claims reporting, and administration.

Job Experience/Skills:

• Four or more years of working in a corporate or law firm paralegal role.
• Understanding of basic legal terms and principles related to commercial contracts, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution/litigation.
• Experience proof reading, reviewing, drafting, and updating a wide variety of contracts, corporate transactional documents, and legal correspondence.
• Solid team player that is flexible, works well under pressure, and can pivot when needed.
• Must be able to maintain absolute confidentiality.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree with a Paralegal Certificate preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrate our employees' differences, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or Veteran status.

E-Verification:

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.