STAFF ATTORNEY

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (“IDHR”) is a state agency charged with the enforcement of the Illinois Human Rights Act ("Act"). The Act prohibits unlawful discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, real estate transactions, financial credit, and public accommodations (including education). IDHR protects and guarantees the rights of all Illinoisans to be free from unlawful discrimination by receiving and investigating claims of unlawful discrimination. Moreover, the Act prohibits retaliation against a person who has opposed that which is reasonably and in good faith believed to be unlawful discrimination; prohibits the aiding, abetting, compelling or coercion of a person to commit a violation of the Act; and prohibits the willful interference with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Department or one of its officers or employees. At the forefront of protecting civil rights, IDHR welcomes all candidates for employment to apply for any position for which they are qualified. Join IDHR in its mission to secure an Illinois free from discrimination.Position OverviewUnder administrative direction of Senior Public Service Administrator, performs all aspects of litigation from discovery through trial; performs complex and specialized duties in the resolution of cases and sensitive or novel legal issues affecting the Department; assists with the review of legal implications of administrative rules, regulations, policies and procedures; analyzes legislation; acts as advisor or trainer for professional legal and other professional staff of the Department. Utilizes independent judgment and discretionary latitude in completing assigned duties.

Requirements

Requires graduation from a recognized law school.
Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
Requires two years' professional experience in the practice of law.
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years of combined experience working in Human Rights and/or Employment Discrimination in the capacity as an attorney.
Three (3) years of experience analyzing, summarizing, and organizing facts, evidence, and precedents and presenting findings in written media such as briefs, memoranda, summarizations, and research reports as an attorney.
Three (3) years of professional experience in the practice of law.

Responsibilities

Performs and all aspects of litigation from discovery through trial.
Performs complex and specialized duties in the resolution of cases and sensitive or novel legal issues affecting the department.
Assists with the review of legal implications of administrative rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Reviews investigation files and makes recommendations regarding disposition of cases.
Provides legal counsel, assistance and guidance to investigators on case related matters and to Department’s professional staff on complex, novel and sensitive matters.
Acts as advisor or trainer to assist in training attorneys and law clerks or other professional staff of the department.
Represents the Department on panels and workshops and at other public speaking engagements, travels in performance of duties.
Prepares, reviews, analyzes and makes recommendations on legislative and administrative guidelines, rules, regulations and policies.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the dutiesenumerated above.

Benefits

A Pension Program
Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)