Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Employer Active
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Share
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Not Disclosed
Salary Not Disclosed
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch is assembling a team of attorneys to prepare for and work during the 2026 spring legislative session. The Speakers Office legal staff under the supervision of the Chief Counsel have a front row seat to the legislative process drafting legislation analyzing legal and policy issues monitoring parliamentary proceedings and working closely with the Democratic members of the House to achieve their legislative goals. During their tenure our attorneys develop the skills to succeed in their future careers. From policy directors lobbyists and law firm partners to elected officials and judges our alumni have gone on to work in every corner of the legal profession.
Essential Responsibilities
The position provides a tremendous opportunity to gain valuable experience and insight into public governance through the lens of the legislature. It is an ideal introduction to Illinois government for those with an interest in public policy.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to:
Draft and analyze legislation for Democratic members of the House of Representatives.
Serve as parliamentarian for committees of the House and as temporary parliamentarian for the House on behalf of the Chief Counsel.
Advise Democratic members of the House during committees and floor debate.
Conduct research and draft memoranda on a wide variety of policy and legal issues.
Facilitate negotiations between Democratic members of the House lobbyists agencies and constituents.
Qualifications Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Successful candidates must be highly motivated self-starters and possess strong legal reasoning skills enthusiasm integrity effective interpersonal skills and exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Additional qualifications are as follows:
Admission to the Illinois Bar prior to the start of the contract is required. Applicants awaiting Bar Exam results in 2025 are encouraged to apply.
A commitment to learning quickly and performing at the highest level in a fast-paced environment are expected.
Excellent time management and collaboration skills are essential.
Proficiency in explaining complicated concepts in an accurate and concise manner.
Compensation Location and Term
This is a contract position. There is an opportunity to become permanent full-time employees when the contract ends.
Contracts will begin on a rolling basis in 2025 and run through the end of May 2026.
Candidates are paid at a rate of $70000 per year for first-year contracts.
Contract attorneys are eligible for reimbursement of health insurance premiums and earned time benefits.
Attorneys are expected to be in Springfield during session weeks. Opportunities to work from our Chicago office may be available when the House is not in session. For those not living in Central Illinois a per diem is provided to cover the costs of maintaining a residence near the Capitol and as well as reimbursement for the cost of travel back home from Springfield most weekends.
For Further Information or to Apply
Interested applicants should email a rsum cover letter writing sample (no more than 3 pages) and three references to:
The Office of the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on race color religion gender age military discharge national origin ancestry ethnicity disability sexual orientation marital status pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Contract
