Associate Counsel

About Calamos

Calamos is a diversified, global asset and wealth management firm offering a wide range of innovative investment strategies. As one of the top liquid alternative asset managers in the world, Calamos maintains dedicated investment teams across all asset classes, with global research capabilities and access to specialized private and public markets. Calamos offers investment strategies and personal wealth management solutions through separately managed portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, private funds, and UCITS funds. Clients include major corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations, and individuals, as well as the financial advisors and consultants who serve them. Headquartered in the Chicago metropolitan area (with offices in both Naperville and Fulton Market in Chicago), the firm also maintains offices in New York, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Portland, and the Miami area.

Summary of the Role

Calamos is seeking an Associate Counsel to join its in-house Legal Department. Reporting to a Managing Counsel, this attorney will serve as a trusted legal advisor across a broad and diverse range of corporate matters, playing an active role in supporting the firm’s business operations, regulatory obligations, and strategic initiatives.

This is a substantive, high-visibility role well-suited for a business-oriented attorney who thrives in a fast-paced asset management environment, can manage competing priorities with sound judgment, and brings a collaborative approach to complex legal and business challenges.  While the successful candidate may not have experience in all of the key responsibilities listed below, it is expected that s/he will have experience in multiple of these areas coupled with a desire to become a subject matter expert in those areas where s/he has less experience. 

Primary Responsibilities

Commercial Contracts

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide variety of commercial agreements, including vendor contracts, technology and SaaS agreements, service agreements, licensing arrangements, and other third-party contracts.


• Partner with business teams across the firm to identify legal risks, propose practical solutions, and support the efficient execution of commercial transactions.


• Advise on corporate real estate matters, including office leases and related property issues.

 Corporate Regulatory, Employment & Advisory

• Advise on regulatory filings, marketing materials review, responses to Requests for Information and Due Diligence Questionnaires, and regulatory examinations.


• Collaborate with the Compliance Team to develop and refine internal policies and procedures, and support the resolution of potential compliance issues as they arise.


• Advise on employment-related legal matters in coordination with Human Resources, including offer letters, restrictive covenant agreements, and workplace policy questions.


• Support corporate governance matters, including board and committee governance, organizational filings, and entity maintenance.

 Litigation & Dispute Management

• Handle litigation matters and governmental inquiries on a hands-on basis, including advising on legal strategy and coordinating document review for responsiveness and privilege.


• Manage subpoena responses and serve as a primary internal point of contact for litigation-related matters.


• Support the firm's litigation hold processes and assist in the development of risk mitigation strategies.


• Engage and direct outside counsel on litigation matters as needed, with responsibility for monitoring the quality and efficiency of outside counsel work product.

Intellectual Property

• Assist with intellectual property matters, including trademark portfolio management, licensing issues, and protection of the firm's proprietary materials and brand.


• Advise the business generally on intellectual property issues.


• Engage and direct outside counsel on intellectual property matters as needed, with responsibility for monitoring the quality and efficiency of outside counsel work product.

 General Advisory & Project Management

• Serve as a member of key organizational and operational committees as needed.


• Manage a variety of concurrent legal projects, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.


• Monitor and assess evolving legal and regulatory developments relevant to the firm's business.


• Maintain a proactive approach to identifying and minimizing legal and reputational risk to the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school; strong academic credentials required.


• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. state (Illinois admission or eligibility preferred).


• 6–10 years of legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house experience preferred.


• Demonstrated experience in the corporate counsel landscape.


• Prior experience in asset management, financial services, or similar regulated industry.


• Knowledge of the federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.


• Experience managing outside counsel.


• Business-oriented legal judgment with the ability to provide practical, actionable advice.


• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present complex legal issues clearly to non-legal audiences.


• High degree of organization and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.


• Collaborative, team-oriented approach with the ability to work independently and build effective relationships across all levels of the organization.


• Proactive, intellectually curious, and committed to continuous professional development.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation for this role takes into account various factors, including work location, individual skill set, relevant experience, and other business needs. The estimated base salary range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000. Additionally, this position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Please note that this is the current estimate of the base salary range intended for this role at the time of posting. The base salary range may be adjusted in the future.

Benefits

Calamos offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and employer-paid short and long-term disability), as well as retirement benefits (401(k) and profit sharing), paid time off, paid parental leave, and other wellness benefits.