Assistant General Counsel/Administrator

About the Courts Commission:

The Illinois Courts Commission adjudicates disciplinary complaints filed against judges by the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board and has recently hired its first Executive Director and General Counsel (“EDGC”). Because the Courts Commission is a new, small state agency, this is a unique opportunity for the right person to grow with the agency.

Job Description/Responsibilities:

The Illinois Courts Commission is seeking a highly organized individual to serve as the Assistant General Counsel and Administrator (AGCA) in its Chicago office. This is a full-time salaried position with benefits, with a salary range of $75,000 – $95,000 annually.

The AGCA will act as the EDGC’s deputy in the management of all aspects of the Commission, including legal, financial, and operational matters. The AGCA’s duties may evolve with the needs of this new state agency.

Legal-Related Responsibilities

The AGCA will assist the EDGC in conducting research on judicial disciplinary issues and in writing memoranda for the Commissioners in connection with cases pending before the Commission. This will include analyzing prior Commission decisions for precedent on violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct and appropriate disciplinary sanctions, and will also involve researching other jurisdictions’ precedent, law review articles, and treatises.

Additionally, the AGCA will assist the EDGC in preparing for pre-hearing conferences and hearings before the Commission and, when the EDGC is unavailable, will communicate with the parties or attorneys of record in pending Commission matters. The AGCA will attend pre-hearing conferences and hearings before the Commission and will help the EDGC prepare draft orders and decisions for the Commission.

The AGCA will act as the Commission’s deputy clerk and will file-stamp documents and maintain the Commission’s docket and records.

Finally, the AGCA will assist the EDGC in conducting seminars and CLEs regarding judicial discipline issues: these will be educational seminars for judges and/or the public regarding the work of the Commission, the Code of Judicial Conduct, and trends in judicial discipline.

Administrative Responsibilities

The AGCA will be responsible for all aspects of voucher processing with the Illinois Comptroller’s Office, including, but not limited to, Comptroller correspondence, preparing and submitting vouchers for payment of invoices, preparing and submitting the required financial reports, and maintaining the appropriate records. Along with preparing vouchers for the Illinois Comptroller’s Office, the AGCA will monitor the Courts Commission’s spending and will assist the EDGC in annual budget preparations and reviews.

The AGCA will also be responsible for processing the Commission’s payroll. This will include keeping track of employees’ use of their time off and leave benefits.

The AGCA will also assist the EDGC in the administrative aspects of the Commission, including, but not limited to, updating the Commission’s website, ordering office supplies, acquiring Information Technology (IT) and other vendor support when necessary, handling mail, and communicating with the building staff. The AGCA will answer incoming phone calls and emails and interface with the public.

The AGCA will be required to attend all Commission meetings, take the minutes at all meetings, and distribute the minutes to all Commissioners.

Job Requirements:

J.D. from an accredited law school. License to practice law in Illinois and an attorney in good standing.

Experience with lawyer or judicial disciplinary/ethical issues is preferred but not required. Accounting experience is preferred but not required.

The AGCA must be able to use Microsoft Office and read documents in electronic formats.

The AGCA must be willing to problem solve and work with the Commissioners, with other staff members, and with members of the public.

In order to be considered by the Commission for the AGCA position, an applicant must consent to a background check.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to info@illinoiscourtscommission.gov by October 31, 2024. The Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer.