Job Details

Position Title: Assistant General Counsel

Division: Legal

Classification: Exempt

Location: Springfield or Chicago, IL

Salary: $120,000 - $138,000

Position Summary

This is a professional-level legal position that provides hands‑on counsel to all levels of the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer (“Office”) executive staff. The individual in this position should have experience as legal counsel in a government agency or in‑house setting or extensive experience with litigation and administrative law. The individual must be able to independently identify and analyze legal issues, draft key documents, present clear recommendations to management, and ensure legal compliance. The individual assists with ongoing legal compliance involving an assigned portfolio; provides guidance and counsel regarding a wide array of matters including legislation and the application of laws, rules, and policies to Office programs; drafts, negotiates and interprets contracts; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Works on an assigned portfolio of legal matters, which portfolio may include any of the following, and is subject to change:
  • Drafts, analyzes, provides legal advice regarding and answers legal questions regarding proposed and existing laws and administrative rules having a potential impact on the Office.
  • Drafts, analyzes, and reviews a broad range of transactional agreements including general services, technology, research, supply contracts, and other related documents in compliance with procurement laws, rules, and applicable policies.
  • Drafts, analyzes, and reviews solicitation documents, such as Requests for Proposals.
  • Conducts legal research concerning various Office programs and initiatives, including statutory obligations, rights, duties, and recourse.
  • Serves as a collaborative partner to internal stakeholders and provides pragmatic, focused legal counsel on legislative matters, interpretation of contracts, and application of laws, rules, and policies to Office programs.
  • Attends committee or board meetings, as assigned, and answers technical and legal questions concerning laws and administrative rules impacting the work of such committees/boards; ensures compliance with the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.
• Provides management and oversight of ongoing litigation matters – reviews briefs, pleadings, and works with the Attorney General's office and outside counsel.
• Works closely with other members of the legal division, and the Office as a whole.
• Responds to matters brought to the attention of the legal department and proactively identifies legal vulnerabilities and offers preventative guidance concerning all matters assigned.
• Provides immediate legal guidance in high-level policy development and discussion.
• Attends meetings, including on‑site, as needed to fulfill the listed duties and responsibilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned which are reasonably related to the scope of the job duties of the position.

Specific Skills

• Consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance.
• Excellent negotiating, drafting, problem solving, and communications skills.
• Understanding of risk assessment and analysis within the context of the Office.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with executive staff and all other levels of personnel individually and in small and large groups, and the general public.
• Experience providing legal counsel in a fast‑paced environment setting and implementing high-value and otherwise important policies and programs.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and meet deadlines with consistently high-quality work product.
• Expertise in overseeing an entity's litigation matters or substantial litigation experience as outside counsel.
• Exemplary written skills.
• Excellent human relations skills.
• Extremely strong verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to plan effectively.
• Ability to maintain satisfactory working relationships.

Education and Work Experience

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school; must be admitted and in good standing to practice law in the State of Illinois; ten (10) years of experience practicing law preferred; ten (10) years of work experience relevant to the areas described above preferred including experience as legal counsel in a government agency or in‑house setting or extensive experience with litigation and administrative law leading to a depth and breadth of legal expertise from which an attorney can draw to independently provide counsel and guidance in a fast‑paced environment; experience in finance desired.

Certificate and Licenses Required

Must be licensed to practice law by the State of Illinois Supreme Court.

Illinois State Treasurer Employee Benefits

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Up to 4 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 15-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (15 days in year one of employment)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years, and 1 Floating Holiday.
• 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)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, or the presence of a non‑job related medical condition or disability.