LEGAL COUNSEL

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic is seeking an experienced attorney who will provide guidance, direction, and assistance on a wide variety of legal matters. This attorney will be responsible for overseeing several key bureaus and providing guidance to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The ideal candidate will be self-starter and able to prioritize and manage multiple tight deadlines in a frequently high-paced environment. We invite qualified and motivated applicants to apply. 

Essential Functions

• Under general direction, serves as Legal Counsel for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), providing legal advice, guidance and representation to Agency leadership and staff on a variety of legal matters. 
• Provides legal interpretations and guidance, often of a confidential and sensitive nature, to Agency leadership, managers, and staff, regarding federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting Agency programs and operations. 
• Conducts legal and factual research pertaining to grant monitoring outcomes, grant recovery efforts and litigation to support the Agency’s actions to enforce provisions of grant agreements and other legal requirements. 
• Assist the Director and other senior staff in the Department in drafting and interpreting administrative rules as well as complying with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. 
• Drafts, reviews and prepares contracts, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, grants, procurement documents, and other legal instruments. on issues affecting the Agency. 
• Confers with attorneys, grants recipients, governmental officials, and agencies of the state and federal governments regarding statues, regulations, and written agreements relating to the Agency’s programs. 
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably with the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, and graduation from a recognized law school. 
• Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois. 
• Requires three (3) years of professional experience in the practice of law. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers three (3) years of professional experience in government, public sector, regulatory, administrative, contract, grants, or commercial law. 
• Prefers three (3) years of experience interpreting complex grant agreements, contract, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, procurement documents and/or other legal documentation. 
• Prefers three (3) years of experience preparing legal memoranda, opinion letters, summaries, recommendations, reports, and other written legal analyses for executive-level decision-makers. 
• Prefers two (2) years of experience using legal research platforms, electronic records management systems, contract management systems, and/or document review tools. 
• Prefers advanced level proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, or similar software. 
• Prefers working knowledge of Illinois administrative law, rulemaking procedures, and state government operations. 

Conditions of Employment

• Required 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. 
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may required the ability to work evenings and weekends. 
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine. 
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings. 

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description. 

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.