Senior Paralegal

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Date: May 30, 2025

Location: Chicago, IL, US, 60607

Company: McDonald's Corporation

Company Description: 

McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily. We continue to operate from a position of strength. Our updated growth strategy is focused on staying ahead of what our customers want and realizing further growth potential. Our relentless ambition is why McDonald’s remains one of the world’s leading corporations after almost 70 years. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world. 

At McDonald’s, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range of outstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements. 

Department Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Senior Paralegal to join our Global Marketing & & Intellectual Property Practice Group. This role will be instrumental in ensuring that all marketing, promotional, and advertising materials comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in trademark and marketing law, intellectual property, and consumer protection, with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, collaborative, and creative environment.

Responsibilities

  • Review advertising and communications materials for compliance with applicable laws and brand requirements
  • Advise clients on social media issues and digital content, including disclosure requirements and endorsement guidelines
  • Screen, search, and clear proposed trademarks using third-party platforms and databases
  • Conduct foreign and domestic trademark clearance searches
  • Draft and analyze sponsorship, promotion, licensing, confidentiality, music, sports, talent, and advertising agency agreements
  • Counsel national and global marketing teams regarding a wide array of marketing, licensing and promotion matters
  • Research and advise clients regarding food regulatory matters and advertising, including FDA, USDA, FTC and international requirements
  • Advise clients regarding menu labeling and nutrition information disclosures
  • Analyze advertising substantiation issues
  • Counsel clients on trademark, copyright, trade secret and rights of publicity and privacy matters
  • Counsel and advise clients on marketing to children guidelines and policies, both in the US and globally.
  • Provide legal advice on complex sweepstakes and contests, including drafting rules, reviewing advertising, and providing strategic advice
  • Partner with communications teams on press releases and consumer and media communications

Qualifications

  • Paralegal certificate or equivalent education
  • 5+ years of experience as an intellectual property paralegal, preferably in a law firm or in-house legal department setting
  • Strong knowledge of trademark clearance databases and research tools like CoreSearch, Lexis/Nexis, Saegis and Westlaw Proficient with electronic research tools and USPTO trademark filing systems Broad knowledge of U.S. and foreign trademark rules and procedures
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365/Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Adept at utilizing and adopting new technology to drive efficiencies
  • Excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills
  • Capacity to balance multiple priorities simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to quality standards
  • Sound, reliable judgment in handling sensitive information
  • Strong work ethic, adaptability, and unwavering reliability
  • Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively
  • Motivation to grow professionally and develop strategic thinking skills
  • Commitment to the Company’s core values: Serve, Inclusion, Integrity, Community and Family

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: YES

Long - Term Incentive: YES

Benefits Eligible: YES

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $50.33 - $64.17 per hour
 
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.

Additional Information: 

Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, a 401(k) plan, adoption assistance program, educational assistance program, flexible ways of working, and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/PTO). Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment.  

Bonus eligible: This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance. 

Long term Incentive eligible: This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long-term incentive plan. 

McDonald’s is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald’s provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact mcdhrbenefits@us.mcd.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment. 


Nearest Major Market: Chicago