Attorney (Legal Advisor II)

Illinois Secretary of State; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 67,172 - 93,007; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Secretary of State is seeking a Legal Advisor II (Attorney) to serve as the primary legal advisor and counsel to the Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives, and BAIID Division. The role involves advising staff on complex legal matters and supervising junior attorneys within the General Counsel’s Office.

The candidate must hold an Illinois license to practice law and have at least one year of professional legal experience, with a preference for experience in regulations and

Qualifications

• Must hold a license to practice law in Illinois.
• At least 1 year of professional experience in the practice of law.
• Experience in regulations, administrative procedures and laws involving driver licenses preferred.

Responsibilities

• Acts as primary legal advisor and counsel to Directors concerning Driver Services, Illinois State Archives and BAIID programs; counsels staff on complex legal matters relating to administration, organization and procedures.
• Reviews current and proposed legislation for legal sufficiency and administrative rules; advises Directors on potential problems and prepares memoranda, reports and opinions.
• Conducts and assists other attorneys on cases with implications for Driver Services, Archives and BAIID; prepares legal reports with recommendations for action.
• Confers with other attorneys, agencies and legislators on difficult statutory interpretation and compliance issues; performs in-depth legal research for administrative officers.
• Plans, directs, supervises and evaluates staff; implements operational procedures and workflow.
• Attends staff meetings to stay updated on new legislation for Driver Services, Archives and BAIID programs.
• Acts as liaison with outside entities on complex issues, such as immigration and voter registration.
• Performs other duties as required.

Skills

Vehicle code knowledge

Judicial procedure

Management skills

Briefing skills

Public speaking

Job description

Office of the Illinois Secretary of State

Alexi Giannoulias

Job Title: Legal Advisor II (Attorney)

Division: General Counsel

Union: N/A

Location: 115 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL – Cook County

Salary: $6,019 to $8,334monthly – commensurate with experience

Benefits: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html

Overview:

Under administrative direction of the General Counsel, serves as primary legal advisor and counsel to the Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives and BAIID Division. Counsels department administrative/managerial staff on matters of administration, organization, policies and procedures; mentors Legal Advisors and support personnel within the General Counsel’s Office; revises, modifies and clarifies current legislation and/or administrative rules; confers with other attorneys, agencies, legislators, commission and board members, labor organizations, etc. on difficult problems of statutory interpretations and compliance; conducts in-depth legal research in response to serious problems faced by administrative officers; plans, directs, supervises, coordinates, and evaluates subordinate staff involved in legal issues facing the Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives and BAIID Division; directs and/or attends various staff meetings.

Requires the possession of a license to practice law in Illinois. Requires ability to travel on occasion and possession of a valid Illinois Driver’s license.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as primary legal advisor and counsel to the Directors concerning Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives and BAIID programs; counsels department administrative/managerial staff on matters concerning problems of a complex legal nature including administration, organization, policies and procedures as they pertain to the respective programs, policies, procedures, etc.
• Reviews current and proposed legislation for legal sufficiency as well as for the necessity of administrative rules; advises Directors and administrative officials of potential problems related to legislation; revises, modifies and clarifies current legislation and/or administrative rules relative to Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives and BAIID Division programs and policies, by preparing, editing and advising on legal memoranda, reports and opinions and submits to the Directors, testify on matters involving legislation as directed.
• Conducts and/or assists other attorneys on special cases which may have important implications within the Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives and BAIID Division; participates in special investigations and reviews reports of activities, prepares comprehensive legal reports making recommendations for appropriate action to the Directors.
• Confers with other attorneys, agencies, departments, legislators, commission and board members, labor organizations, etc. on difficult problems of statutory interpretations and compliance as they relate to Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives and BAIID Division programs and policies; conducts in-depth legal research in response to serious problems faced by administrative officers, prepares complex administrative reports making recommendations on disposition to such and submits to the Directors for review/approval.
• Plans, directs, supervises, coordinates, and evaluates subordinate staff involved in legal issues facing the Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives and BAIID Division; determines, establishes and implements operational procedures and workflow.
• Directs and/or attends various staff meetings to keep abreast of new/revised legislation relative to Driver Services Department, Illinois State Archives and BAIID programs, policies, administrative rules, etc.
• Acts as liaison with outside entities on complex issues, such as immigration and voter registration; serves on committees of American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Specific Skills:

• Requires extensive knowledge of federal and state vehicle code and driving laws and regulations with respect to driver licenses, including CDL licenses, BAIID regulations, and similar laws and regulations.
• Requires extensive knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedure and of the rules of evidence, hearings, and trial procedures.
• Requires working knowledge of management practices and procedures.
• Requires ability to maintain satisfactory working relationships with superiors, other attorneys, employees and the public.
• Requires ability to present material in clear and logical form for oral or written presentation, such as briefs, orders, reports or decisions.
• Requires ability to exercise sound judgement in appraising and evaluating problems of a procedural nature.

Education and Work Experience:

Requires possession of a license to practice law in Illinois AND at least one (1) year of professional experience in the practice of law, preferably with practice in regulations, administrative procedures and laws involving regulation of driver's licenses.

Preferred candidate with experience in matters involving regulation of driver licenses, including CDL licenses, knowledge of federal and state law governing regulations of driver's licenses, as well as experience in the skills indicated in the previous section above.

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.