Legal Counsel

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Insurance seeks an organized, professional, and results-oriented individual to serve as Legal Counsel. This position engages in specialized legal work and performs complex technical work on Department’s regulation of health insurance and the operation of the State-based Exchange. This position is well-suited to an attorney with an interest in health insurance and an aptitude for learning and independent research even if the attorney does not have substantial prior experience with insurance. Due to the responsibilities related to proposed legislation and regulations, this position may afford opportunities to engage not only with questions of legal interpretation, administrative law, insurance law, and effective legal writing, but also with how existing and proposed laws and rules meet public policy objectives to impact various stakeholders. We invite all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

1. Engages in specialized legal work with emphasis on health insurance and the State-Based Exchange: drafts and reviews proposed health bills, amendments, resolutions, procedures, rules, and regulations.
2. Under direction of the Deputy General Counsel, plans, directs and conducts extensive and complex research into various legal matters and presents reports to supervisors: advises on investigations and research activities, determines facts, prepares administrative orders or decisions, and advises Department administrators.
3. Confers with witnesses, other attorneys, legislators, board and commission members, and members of the public on difficult problems of statutory interpretation, compliance, legislation, and rulemaking involving all aspects of the insurance business in the State of Illinois: travels to perform this duty.
4. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a law degree and license to practice law in Illinois.  
2. Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law. 

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prefers at least three (3) years of experience with common law and of State and Federal laws, particularly relating to administrative and regulatory functions.  
2. Prefers at least one (1) year of experience drafting or reviewing proposed legislation or regulations.
3. Prefers at least three (3) years of experience with planning, laying out and reviewing work relating to complicated legal problems.
4. Prefers at least intermediate proficiency with legal research databases, including LexisNexis or Westlaw. 
5. Prefers at least three (3) years of experience demonstrating good oral and written communication skills.
6. Prefers at least three (3) years of experience with principles of administration and management, including organization, controls, and techniques used in dealing with management and procedural problems.  
7. Prefers at least three (3) years of experience in maintaining satisfactory working relationships with management, other attorneys, employees, and the general public.  
8. Prefers at least intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, including formatting and track changes.

Employment Conditions

1. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
2. Requires the ability to pass background check. 
3. Requires an absence of any disciplinary actions or ethical violations.
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 Department of Insurance (DOI) regulates the insurance market in the State of Illinois including, but not limited to, licensing and educating insurance agents, investigating Workers Compensation fraud, and examining the operations and finances of insurance companies domiciled in the state. We are committed to protecting consumers and regulating the insurance industry with innovation and efficiency. DOI has approximately 220 employees who are split between our Chicago and Springfield offices.

State of Illinois employees enjoy a robust benefit package, including:
    • Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
    • 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
    • 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
    • 12 Paid Sick Days annually (sick days carry over from year to year)
    • 10 Weeks Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
    • 3 Paid Personal Days annually
    • Pension Plan
    • Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
    • Flexible work schedules may be available, dependent upon position
    • Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
    
Visit https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx for more information about our benefits.