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Legal Operations Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Legal Engineer - In-House

Chicago, IL · On-site

$225K - $325K/yr

Acting as a thought partner to General Counsels, Legal Operations leaders, and in-house teams - building trusted relationships, addressing tricky pain points, and identifying high-value opportunities ...

Why this Role Matters As our Associate, Legal Engineering, you'll play a key role in shaping how ... Background in legal operations, legal program management, or contract management systems. * Hands ...

Business Operations Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$78K - $93K/yr

Business Operations Associate Location: Chicago, IL Office: 3 days/week in South Loop office ... Experience with some combination of: strategic and operational projects, contracts/legal ops ...

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Legal Operations Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11

$27

$55

How much do legal operations associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal operations associate in Chicago, IL is $27.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $31.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Legal Operations Associate typically interact with legal and cross-functional teams within an organization?

Legal Operations Associates play a pivotal role in streamlining processes by collaborating closely with legal counsel, paralegals, and various business units such as finance, IT, and procurement. They often coordinate project management initiatives, facilitate technology adoption, and ensure effective communication between legal and non-legal teams. This collaboration helps drive efficiency, manage budgets, and implement best practices, making the role both dynamic and integral to organizational success.

What is the difference between Legal Operations Associate vs Legal Analyst?

AspectLegal Operations AssociateLegal Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, legal or business background often preferredBachelor's degree, legal or related field, sometimes a paralegal certification
Work EnvironmentCorporate legal departments, law firms, legal service providersLaw firms, corporate legal teams, consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in corporate legal operations, legal tech companiesLegal research, case analysis, law firms, corporate legal teams
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding operational roles, process managementLegal research, analysis, case handling

The Legal Operations Associate focuses on managing legal processes, technology, and vendor relationships within legal departments. In contrast, a Legal Analyst primarily conducts legal research, analyzes cases, and supports legal decision-making. While both roles require a legal or related background, the Associate role emphasizes operational support, whereas the Analyst role centers on legal analysis and research.

What does a legal operations associate do?

A legal operations associate manages and streamlines legal department processes, including contract management, legal technology implementation, and data analysis. They support efficiency by coordinating workflows, maintaining legal systems, and ensuring compliance with policies, often using tools like contract management software and project management platforms.

What jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

Legal Operations Associates typically do not earn $1,000,000 annually; such high salaries are usually found in executive roles like CEOs, hedge fund managers, or specialized investment professionals. High earnings in legal fields are more common for top partners at large law firms or senior in-house counsel with extensive experience and equity stakes. Achieving a million-dollar annual income generally requires senior leadership positions, significant bonuses, or ownership stakes in successful organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Legal Operations Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legal Operations Associate, you need strong analytical skills, project management abilities, and a background in legal or business administration, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with contract management systems, e-billing platforms, and legal technology tools like Matter Management Software is typically required. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for streamlining legal processes, ensuring compliance, and supporting efficient legal department operations.

What is the lowest position in a law firm?

In a law firm, the lowest position is typically a legal assistant or legal secretary, responsible for administrative tasks and supporting attorneys. Entry-level roles often require basic organizational skills and familiarity with legal software, serving as a starting point for legal careers.

Is a legal associate a lawyer?

A legal operations associate is not a lawyer; it is a support role focused on managing legal processes, technology, and workflows within a legal team. Unlike lawyers, legal operations associates typically do not provide legal advice or represent clients but may work closely with legal professionals to improve efficiency.
What are the most commonly searched types of Legal Operations jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Legal Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Operations Associate jobs in Chicago, IL? For Legal Operations Associate jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Operations Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Operations Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Legal Operations Associate jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Legal Operations Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Legal Operations Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,278 per year, or $27.1 per hour.
Editorial Operations Associate

Editorial Operations Associate

Chicago Public Media

Chicago, IL

$65K - $72K/yr

Other

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

DESCRIPTION

The Editorial Operations Associate supports the Chicago Public Media newsroom staff in the administrative aspects of their work, including budgets and expenses, contracts, tools, subscriptions and more. Working closely with the Editorial Operations Manager, the associate acts as a liaison between the newsroom and non-content teams such as finance and legal, as well as external vendors or contributors. They also support internal initiatives related to staff development and workplace culture.

This is a full-time, exempt position. The person in this role is expected to work 40 hours a week, including at least two days from our Navy Pier office.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Support editorial operations manager in their role as budget administrator for newsroom budgets, contributing to regular budget reviews and forecasting, team expense tracking and more
  • Process newsroom payment requests
  • Assist with generating and processing contracts for newsroom freelancers and contracts
  • Assist with onboarding or offboarding of other newsroom staff
  • Collaborate with newsroom leadership on staff development initiatives
  • Coordinate staff conference attendance and training opportunities
  • Support the newsroom internship program
  • Assist in coordination of department meetings and communications
  • Manage shared newsroom resources, accounts and subscriptions
  • Contribute and support other newsroom administration duties, as needed
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
  • A minimum of 3-5 years professional experience in an administrative or financial services role.
  • Experience with budgeting and accounts payable.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Presentation and negotiation skills a plus

COMPENSATION

The expected pay range for this position is $65,000 - $72,000  per ANNUM.

Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position.  The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.