Paralegal

AKIRA Paralegal

In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 35+ stores across the United States, as well as a thriving eCommerce business (shopAKIRA.com.) AKIRA is extremely well-poised for sustained growth as we continue to build a nationally recognized brand. AKIRA's culture has one very large, distinct difference from other high fashion competitors: Fanatical, Obsessive Attention to the consumer's needs and desires. The core principle for all employees at AKIRA is to Act and Think Like an Owner, and this belief can be reflected across all areas of the company.

The Position

Paralegal

Position Summary

The in-house paralegal will serve as the primary contact for all legal matters across AKIRA's operations. This person will draft and manage contracts, coordinate with outside counsel, monitor regulatory compliance (consumer protection, privacy, labeling laws, employment regulations), and maintain the company's intellectual-property and corporate records. The role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment. This position requires you to be on-site in our Chicago corporate headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate vendor agreements, leases, NDAs, marketing contracts, and employment documents. Maintain a contracts database and manage signature workflows to ensure timely execution and renewal.
• Compliance & Regulation: Monitor laws impacting retail operations, including privacy, consumer protection, labeling, ADA, and wage-and-hour laws. Advise leadership on necessary updates to policies and procedures.
• Intellectual Property: Maintain trademarks and copyrights, coordinate filings and renewals, track deadlines, and assist with enforcement.
• Corporate Governance: Draft and file corporate documents such as articles of incorporation, annual reports, and board resolutions. Maintain corporate minute books and ensure business licenses are current.
• Disputes & Litigation Support: Receive and triage legal correspondence, subpoenas, and regulatory inquiries. Gather documents and assist outside counsel with discovery and litigation preparation.
• Policy Development: Develop and update internal policies related to contracts, compliance, vendor onboarding, consumer data protection, and marketing claims. Assist with staff training on these procedures.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, HR, finance, and operations teams to ensure contracts and projects align with legal requirements and brand standards.
• Outside Counsel Liaison: Serve as the point of contact for external law firms. Prepare summaries for counsel, track budgets, and ensure efficient use of legal resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; ABA-approved paralegal certificate or equivalent experience required.
• Five to eight years of paralegal experience, with at least three years in an in-house or corporate setting.
• Strong drafting and redlining skills with proven ability to identify key legal issues.
• Knowledge of retail-related regulations and intellectual-property management.
• Proficiency with contract-management and e-signature software.
• Excellent organizational and project-management abilities, with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize multiple deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across departments and handle confidential information.
• Familiarity with the fashion or retail industry is a plus.

Diversity & Inclusion:

At AKIRA we believe that treating everyone in a first-class manner is essential to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects our values and our community. This is deeply rooted in our company's principles, culture, and fashion. We continuously strive to cultivate a company where employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. Our unique workforce is directly linked to our success and makes us stronger collectively.

Benefits and Perks:

AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 401(k), and employee discount. We are committed to encouraging internal development and providing significant career enrichment opportunities. Most importantly, what has propelled AKIRA's growth and success over the years has been the dynamic culture within the company - if you're filled with passion, have a strong desire to get things done, and if you want to go to a place where you know your work matters and where you can implement your ideas and decisions, then AKIRA just might be the place for you.

Job Type: Full-time

At AKIRA, we are committed to providing fair and transparent compensation. The pay range for this position is $60,000.00-$90,000.00 annually, based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and market conditions. Final compensation may vary and will be determined during the interview process.

Salary

• $60,000 - $90,000/year