OCJ - Senior Division Attorney - Domestic Relations Division

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, seeks a Senior Division Attorney to support the Domestic Relations Division. The role requires leadership, legal acumen, and a commitment to access to justice.

Reporting to the Presiding Judge, you will supervise law clerks, coordinate updates, and assist judges with research and case briefings. A strong collaborative approach and professional demeanor are essential.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor and active Illinois law license required.
• Experience in and understanding of matters heard by the division judges.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and coordinates the division law clerks in providing legal research to Division judges; drafts orders and opinions; verifies citations.
• Coordinates legal updates and case summaries for judges and staff across the division.
• Monitors legislation affecting the division and distributes updates quarterly.
• Presents case and legislative updates at regular judge meetings and assists in briefings on complex issues.

Skills

Collaboration

Fast-paced environment

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Illinois law license

Job description

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: SENIOR DIVISION ATTORNEY

GRADE: 20

SALARY: $123,683

LOCATION: RICHARD J. DALEY CENTER

50 WEST WASHINGTON STREET

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602

JOB SUMMARY AND DUTIES: The Senior Division Attorney reports to the Presiding Judge of the Domestic Relations Division. The position requires a strong commitment to access to justice, a highly professional demeanor, and sound judgment.

Responsibilities include:

Research Services and Judicial Support

• Supervises and coordinates the division law clerks in providing legal research to all Division judges, including responding to immediate questions of law, preparing bench memos, drafting orders and opinions, proofreading the judge's orders and opinions, verifying citations.
• Coordinates the preparation by the division law clerks of legal updates to the judges, including case summaries of published appellate cases in the 1st District, unpublished opinions that relate to domestic Relations or relevant family law across the state (Rule 23 orders) on a monthly basis.
• Monitors pending and proposed legislation impacting the division; compiles and distributes legislative updates on a quarterly basis.
• Presents case updates and legislative updates at regular Division judge meetings, on a schedule to be determined by the Presiding Judge. Assists Division Judges who wish to present case briefings on novel or complicated issues presented recently in their courtrooms.

Community Liaison

• Works with Presiding Judge to facilitate planning seminars, stakeholder conferences, and other committees related to improving Division services.
• Assists in connecting self-represented litigants with legal aid agencies, self-help resources and social services as necessary. Maintain accurate resource packets in coordination with the Domestic Relations Division Court Administrator.
• Assists judges in ensuring self-represented litigants understand orders as entered. Assists judges in monitoring or responding to communication from self-represented litigants were permissible and appropriate.
• Coordinates with on-site legal aid agencies where appropriate to ensure accuracy in resources provided to self-represented litigants.
• Coordinates with Clerk of the Circuit Court staff to ensure resources provided self-represented litigants are accurate, accessible and reflect common issues or concerns raised in courtrooms.
• In coordination with the Presiding Judge and the Administrator, assesses training needs on an ongoing basis; develops and presents relevant subject matter training that adheres to best practices for judicial and non-judicial court personnel.
• Such other duties as may be assigned by the Presiding Judge

The duties listed are not set forth for the purpose of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the duties to be performed under the job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor degree and active Illinois law license required. Prior law clerkship, clinical or 7-11 practical experience preferred, with subject matter experience strongly preferred. 1-2 years’ professional experience strongly preferred
• Experience in and demonstrated understanding of the law and practice applicable to matters heard by the judges of the division.
• An understanding of the role, function, and working of the Circuit Court
• Ability to work in a fast- paced environment
• Highly collegial and demonstrated ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods in front of a computer screen;
• Intermittently twist to reach equipment or supplies surrounding desk;
• Perform simple grasping and fine manipulation;
• Strength to lift files weighing up to 20 pounds;
• Use telephone and computer keyboard on a daily basis.

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria. Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment.

Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page.

THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

Revised: December, 2025