LAS Managing Attorney

Under the direction of the Director of Legal Advocacy Services, serves as the managing attorney for the LAS Division. Responsible for supervising staff attorneys, assigning duties, allocating resources, and overseeing performance. Provides legal advice and assistance to staff attorneys on cases and activities. Coordinates appellate and trial activities and reports developing trends to the Director of LAS. Develops contracts and/or co-counsel agreements, subject to approval by the Director of LAS and Chief Counsel, with Legal Services Corporation-funded programs or other legal service programs in Illinois to provide and continue legal services to eligible clients.

As a State of Illinois employee, you are entitled to a robust benefits package that includes:
•    Flexible work schedules in some program areas (flexible time and hybrid options)
•    Health, life, vision and dental insurance
•    12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
•    Pension Plan – vesting at 10 years for Tier II
•    Full 20-year retirement awards free health insurance during retirement
•    Deferred compensation and other pre-tax benefits programs
•    Paid state holidays 13-14 days annually
•    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, and vacation rates modified for 12-hour work schedules. (As applicable.)
•    Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
•    For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx
 

• Supervises Staff Attorneys and paralegal, interns and volunteers in the assignment of duties, allocation of resources, and supervision of performance.
• Provides legal advice and assistance to Staff Attorneys on cases and activities.
• Coordinates appellate and trial activities and reports developing trends to the Director of LAS.
• Monitors and coordinates all Federal and State court proceedings in which LAS appears as attorney of record, amicus, or court appointment. May assign or reassign LAS attorneys and paralegals, with approval of the LAS Director.
• Develop for approval by the Director of LAS and Chief Counsel, contracts and/or co-counsel agreements with other legal service programs in Illinois to provide and continue legal service to eligible clients.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

• Requires a license to practice law in Illinois.
• Requires graduation from an approved law school.
• Requires experience equivalent to (3) three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

• Prefer (7) seven years of trial and appellate practice experience.
• Prefer (7) seven years working and applying rules of evidence and judicial and administrative procedures, case law, and legal research techniques.
• Prefer (5) five years in advising, assisting, and directing other attorneys in implementing individual case strategy.
• Prefer (5) five years of working and maintaining satisfactory and productive working relationships with superiors, colleagues, and the public.
• Prefers (5) five years developing and implementing policy, as well as evaluating and responding to administrative problems and issues.

• Requires successful fingerprint and background check.
• Requires driver's license and ability to travel.
• Requires ability to work extended hours and weekends.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

• Created in 1979, the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission protects the rights and promotes the welfare of persons with disabilities. A board of 11 commissioners, who serve without compensation, govern the agency. The Commission is an executive state agency created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. By providing legal representation, investigating complains of rights violations, and providing state guardianship for Illinois’ population with disabilities, the Commission has given a voice to those who have previously gone unheard.