ATTORNEY SUPERVISOR

Position Overview

Serves as Case Attorney and paralegal assistant supervisor for TIRC; Trains and directs staff in the investigation, analysis and presentation of torture claims; monitors staff’s progress and coaches them on proper procedures and practices; evaluates staff annually in written and oral reports delivered to those staff; instructs and enforces policy and procedures with staff; recommends contract and staff employees for retention or termination; investigates, analyzes and presents own cases.

Essential Functions

• Subject to management approval of the Executive Director, Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission (ITIRC), provides supervision of line attorneys and paralegals and performs own case investigations as required by Executive Director.
• Serves as direct supervisor for contract and staff case attorneys investigating and adjudicating claims. 
• Serves as direct supervisor of TIRC paralegal(s), ensuring paralegal is providing statutory notice to crime victims. 

• Conducts legal research and investigations regarding allegations of torture to assist in the determination of cases selected for review by the Commission. 

• Performs other duties as required or assigned to keep case flow moving effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a license to practice law in Illinois.
• Requires graduation from an accredited law school.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers one (1) year of Criminal law experience, particularly post-conviction proceedings.
• Prefers one (1) year of statutory and regulatory compliance experience.
• Prefers one (1) year experience with Illinois Code of Criminal Procedure, Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, Illinois Supreme Court Rules, and/or Illinois Rules of Evidence.
• Prefers one (1) year experience with Administrative Law, Illinois Freedom of Information Act and Illinois Open Meetings Act.
• Prefers one (1) year of Investigative experience, including but not limited to as an attorney, a reporter, a fact-checker, an auditor, or a private investigator.

Employment Conditions

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires infrequent overtime.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission is a state agency that was created by the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission Act in 2009. The Act provides for an eight-member commission, chaired by a former judge. The Commission began receiving claims in April 2011, and continued accepting them until the statutory deadline of August 10, 2014. In 2016, the legislature re-opened the filing period through August 10, 2019. The Commission is authorized by statute to gather evidence about a claim of torture occurring in Cook County and then determine whether there is sufficient credible evidence of torture to merit judicial review. To evaluate a claim, the Commission's staff can serve subpoenas to compel the testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence, administer oaths, and use any measure provided for in Illinois civil and criminal codes of procedure. If a matter is referred to court, the Circuit Court will review the case pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Post-Conviction Hearing Act and the TIRC Act. Upon review, the Circuit Court may order an evidentiary hearing in order to determine whether relief (e.g., suppression of a claimant’s statement or a new trial) is warranted.

Benefit Statement

As a State of Illinois employee, you are entitled to a robust benefits package that includes:

• Flexible work schedules in some program areas (flexible time and hybrid options)
• Health, life, vision and dental insurance
• 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pension Plan – vesting at 10 years for Tier II
• Full 20-year retirement awards free health insurance during retirement
• Deferred compensation and other pre-tax benefits programs
• Paid state holidays 13-14 days annually
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Personal, sick, and vacation rates modified for 12-hour work schedules. (As applicable.)
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
• For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx