Staff Attorney

Position Overview

Under general direction of Senior Public Service Administrator, performs technical legal work on cases filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Performs other legal work involving the Department, such as research for lawsuits in which the Department is a party, reviewing legislation and proposed legislation, and rendering opinions on administrative rules and policies.  

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• 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)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• Performs technical work on cases filed with the Department.
• Performs other work involving the Department; conducts research for lawsuits in which the Department is a party; prepares and responds to requests for review of the Department’s determinations; and directs additional investigation.
• Provides legal counsel, assistance, and guidance to investigators on case-related matters; performs legal research and drafts memoranda.
• Conducts conciliation negotiations and prepares settlement agreements and Department complaints.
• Participates in administrative and judicial litigation and appeals; prepares motions, briefs, and memoranda in connection with contested cases before the Illinois Human Rights Commission, generally on issues where some precedent has been established.
• Monitors bottlenecks, logs, and printouts to ensure accuracy.
• Represents the Department on panels and workshops and at any other public speaking engagements; travels in performance of duties.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires graduation from a recognized law school.
• Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) 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.
• Prefers two (2) years of combined experience working in Human Rights and/or Employment Discrimination.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in the practice of law.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires the ability to travel with the possibility of overnight stays.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Illinois Department of Human Rights

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.