LEGAL COUNSEL

at Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

About the Position

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.

1. Prepares legal summarizations and legal interpretations of laws and regulations pertaining to Agency grants and programs.


2. Provides legal interpretations and guidance, often of a confidential and sensitive nature, to Deputy Directors, their staff, and senior level management of the Agency on legal issues and policies and procedures pertaining to federal and state legislation and regulations.


3. 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.


4. Coordinates Agency’s review of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses.


5. Drafts and prepares memoranda and opinions on issues affecting the Agency.


6. Confers with attorneys, grants recipients, governmental officials, and agencies of the state and federal governments regrading statues, regulations, and written agreements relating to the Agency’s programs.


7. Preforms other duties as required or assigned which are reasonable with the scope of the duties enumerated above.

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration. 


2. Requires possession of valid license to practice law in Illinois. 


3. Requires prior experience equivalent to three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, preferably in the practice of law.

1. Two years of procurement experience with state contracts.


2. Three years of professional experience drafting and reviewing contracts and grant agreements.


3. Three years of drafting, reviewing, and/or interpreting federal and state statutes, and/or proposed legislation.

1. Required completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history. 

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is to support and maintain a climate that enables a strong economy for our customers – taxpayers, businesses, workers and communities – by keeping, attracting and growing businesses, maintaining a skilled workforce, and enhancing communities so that the climate here is one in which businesses, small and large, and workers, can succeed to the greatest extent possible.  The Illinois Department of Commerce delivers impactful and efficient programs and services through focused on business, community, and workforce development