Municipal/Government Practice Attorney

Illinois State Bar Association; Peoria (IL); Presencial; USD 120.000 - 160.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Illinois State Bar Association seeks an experienced Government Practice Attorney to provide comprehensive legal counsel to local government and public bodies, advising elected officials, department heads, police and fire chiefs, and governing boards on policy, compliance, and employment matters.

The role emphasizes ordinance drafting, land use and zoning guidance, FOIA/OMA compliance, and litigation oversight, with coordination of outside counsel when necessary and regular meeting attendance.

Formación

• JD from an accredited law school required.
• Active Illinois bar in good standing required.
• Minimum five years representing local government entities, in-house or as outside counsel.

Responsabilidades

• Counsel and advise governing bodies, officials, and department heads on public policy and regulatory compliance.
• Draft, review, and negotiate ordinances, resolutions, real estate agreements, vendor contracts, and IGAs.
• Advise on land use applications, variances, special permits, annexations, and economic development incentives.
• Ensure FOIA and OMA compliance, review FOIA requests, and manage closed meeting matters.
• Oversee litigation and code enforcement, coordinate with outside counsel as needed.
• Attend regular and special meetings of public bodies and commissions.

Conocimientos

Communication

Ordinance drafting

Litigation management

Public speaking

Educación

Juris Doctor (JD)

Illinois Bar Admission

Descripción del empleo

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Government Practice Attorney to provide comprehensive legal counsel and representation to our local government/public body clients. In this role, you will act as a trusted advisor to elected and appointed officials, department heads, police and fire chiefs, and various governing bodies, such as county boards, city councils, and school boards. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in local government law, excellent communication skills, and experience handling employment and labor matters for public bodies.

Key Responsibilities

• Counsel and Advisory: Provide day-to-day legal guidance to governing bodies, elected and/or appointed officials, and department heads on public policy, operational needs, and regulatory compliance
• Ordinance & Document Drafting: Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents, including ordinances, resolutions, real estate agreements, vendor contracts, and intergovernmental agreements (IGAs)
• Economic Development, Land Use and Zoning: Advise clients on land use applications, variances, special use permits, annexations, and economic development incentives (e.g., TIF districts, Business Development Districts)
• Public Information & Transparency: Ensure strict compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Open Meetings Act (OMA), including reviewing FOIA requests, advising on closed meeting matters, and responding to requests for review
• Litigation & Code Enforcement: Oversee municipal ordinance violation prosecutions and administrative adjudication hearings, as well as represent the governmental bodies in litigation matters, such as demolition cases, tax cases and tax appeals, discrimination cases, and administrative hearings (e.g., PSEBA hearings); will also be expected to oversee outside counsel for certain litigation, when necessary
• Meeting Attendance: Attend regular and special meetings of the public bodies and relevant commissions/committees/boards

Qualifications and Skills

• Juris Doctor (JD): Degree from an accredited law school
• Illinois Bar Admission: Active license in good standing with the Supreme Court of Illinois
• Experience: 5 years of practice representing local government units either in-house or as outside firm counsel or otherwise prosecuting or defending matters on behalf of public bodies; the ideal candidate will also have 3+ years of employment and/or labor experience related to public bodies
• Legal Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of the Illinois Municipal Code, Illinois Counties Code, and, preferably, the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyers and public stakeholders