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Employment Opportunities | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

Child Welfare Attorney

Vacancy Announcement

  • Location
    Chicago or Springfield
  • Office
    Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts
  • Posted Date
    10/30/23
  • Closing Date
    This position will remain open until filled. However, those individuals submitting materials by November 22, 2023, will be given first consideration
  • Division
    Courts, Children and Families Division (Springfield or Chicago)
  • Benefits
    An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as deferred compensation and generous leave time.
  • Salary
    Starting salary $75,324; salary at hire to be commensurate with experience

Essential Duties:

The Child Welfare Attorney performs professional legal work and conducts legal research, prepares legal documents, and provides legal advice to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC), Courts, Children and Families Division, and subject matter expertise on best practices to judicial officials on child welfare related issues. This position develops, coordinates, and administers various court improvement projects and training for judges and other justice partners on the child welfare system. This position will work closely with other divisions of the AOIC.

Functions Include:

  • Conducts legal research and prepares memoranda of law providing legal and procedural advice to circuit court judges, the Administrative Office, judicial committees, court personnel throughout the state, and other parties involved in the child welfare court system.
  • Confers with Administrative Office staff on varied legal matters including ramifications of current or proposed office regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and activities.
  • Reviews and analyzes juvenile court related proposed legislation and recommends change or course of action. May be asked to draft proposed legislation or amendments.
  • May draft, revise, or review Supreme Court rules, administrative rules, rules of procedure, or Administrative Office policies.
  • Prepares narrative reports, correspondence, and contractual agreements for the Courts, Children and Families Division.
  • Attends and participates in conferences, meetings, and committees as a representative of the Courts, Children and Families Division.
  • Provides and participates in training and educational conferences of judges and justice partners throughout the state.
  • Provides staff support to judicial committees, coordinates meeting time and place with members, prepares meeting agenda and materials, documents minutes of meeting, and performs any required legal analysis.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

A minimum of three years’ experience in child welfare law, such as prosecutor, guardian ad litem, parent attorney or agency attorney, and graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

Preference will be given to candidates with the ability to plan, develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate statewide programs and corresponding best practices; work effectively on multiple projects and to coordinate program logistics under tight deadlines; serve effectively as facilitator at group meetings to identify training needs; to prepare clear and concise reports; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment, requiring telephone usage and the ability to process written documents. Applicant must have the ability to travel and possess a valid Illinois driver's license and demonstrate proof of automobile insurance to operate a personal vehicle on state business, as well as maintain a safe driving record. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Interested individuals should submit - via email - a letter of interest, resume, and completed Judicial Branch Employment Application to:

CourtEmployment@IllinoisCourts.gov

This position will remain open until filled. However, those individuals submitting materials by November 22, 2023, will be given first consideration.

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