Job Details for 2418 - EO Staff Attorney

FLSA STATUS: Exempt
GRADE: 313


POSITION SUMMARY
Under direction; performs work of considerable difficulty in conducting legal research and preparing drafts of legal opinions for Circuit and Associate Judges and Chief Judge; performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The work of this class involves extensive legal research for the above under the direction of the Chief Judge. An employee in this class must be a member of the Illinois Bar.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed by positions in this class.

• Reads files and briefs, researches legal issues, and gives opinions and recommendations for judges and others at their requests
• Prepares written memorandums outlining the recommendations
• Researches legal problems of those who have requested the Court to resolve such problems and recommends solutions
• Drafts proposed Administrative Orders of the Court or proposed legislation
• Prepares reports on Court's authority and responsibilities relative to other departments serving the Court after researching statutes and case law
• Tracks and circulates new laws to the Judges
• Prepares reports as needed and/or required
• Oversees the Court’s Legal Intern Program
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Adjusts work assignment or schedule in the event of an emergency to participate in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities as assigned.
• Depending on assignment, may require emergency management training, licensure or certifications.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Knowledge of:
• The application of legal principles to individual cases or problems
• The principles, methods and materials of legal research
• Court procedures and the rules of evidence
• Types and methods of preparation of legal documents
• Current office practices, procedures, and equipment
• County policies and procedures
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes

Skill in:
• Analyzing facts, evidence, and precedents
• Conducting legal research
• Preparing legal documents and records
• Interpreting laws and ordinances
• Understanding and carrying out oral and written instructions with minimum level of supervision
• Computerized legal research through Westlaw.
• Applying an acquired knowledge of procedures, rules, regulations and services applicable to the assigned office
• Using computer hardware and software including work processing, spreadsheets, databases,
email, etc.

Ability to:
• Manage projects and multiple priorities simultaneously
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with department and division staff, other departments and others, such as vendors
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations and statutory requirements
• Convey excellent oral and written communication
• Work effectively under stress
• Maintain confidentiality

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Exercises supervision of personnel in related area of responsibility.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Graduation from an approved and accredited School of Law and one year of relevant legal experience; which may be as a Law Clerk, or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Current license to practice law in the State of Illinois.