Description:

Grade: 18

Location: Adult Guardianship Division

Salary: $89,906

Benefits: Information concerning benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page (https://www.cookcountycourt.org/employment-opportunities)

Job Summary: The Cook County Public Guardian's Adult Guardianship Division (OPG) serves as the court-appointed guardian for adults adjudicated as persons with disabilities by a judge in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Public Guardian's authorities and responsibilities are bound by the Probate Act of 1975 and other relevant statutes and case law. As guardian of the person, the Public Guardian is responsible for the personal well-being of the person with a disability. As guardian of the estate, the Public Guardian is responsible for the finances, legal matters, and property of the person with a disability. The Public Guardian strives to maintain the maximum level of independence for the persons under his guardianship. An attorney in the Adult Guardianship Division is responsible for competently and zealously representing the Public Guardian as his attorney and agent when he is appointed legal guardian. At all times the attorney is to follow the ethical rules set forth in the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and relevant case law.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois or admitted to practice law pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 717. Law school graduates awaiting July 2025 Illinois bar results are eligible to apply.
Ability to multitask, pay close attention to detail, and prioritize responsibilities.
Ability to conduct complex and detailed analysis of legal and other issues relevant to persons with disabilities.
Excellent professional judgment, leadership, communication, crisis intervention, and people skills.
Ability to work independently to solve complex issues and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet deadlines.
Experience working with or advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities.
Possess a valid driver's license.

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check. Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following core duties and tasks are fundamental to the performance of the job and must be performed pursuant to office policy. Other duties may be assigned and/or may be necessary in the performance of the job.

Serve as attorney and agent for the Public Guardian when he is appointed guardian by the Probate Court for a person with disabilities.
Appear in court on behalf of the Public Guardian (including Probate, Law, Municipal, Chancery and other divisions).
Effectively and professionally advocate before judges, hearing officers, and administrative law judges.
Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the Probate Act of 1975, Illinois Power of Attorney Act, Living Will Act, Health Care Surrogate Act, Disposition of Remains Act, Cemetery Act, Code of Civil Procedure, Illinois Supreme Court Rules, Rules and General Orders of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Rules of Evidence, and other laws, administrative rules, regulations or procedures pertinent to OPG or its persons under guardianship.
Develop and maintain a working knowledge of pertinent case law and demonstrate an ability and willingness to research the law pertinent to OPG and its persons under guardianship.
Prepare for contested guardianship hearings—e.g., conduct discovery, address basic and complex issues, meet deadlines, obtain records, subpoena and prepare witnesses, and complete follow up in a timely manner.
Prepare and present court documents (e.g., inventories, petitions, reports, accounts) as required under the Probate Act of 1975 and Rules and General Orders of the Circuit Court of Cook County in a timely manner.
Work effectively with other OPG departments; convene and lead ongoing meetings with other departments to appropriately address the needs (e.g., placement, medical care, end-oflife decisions, etc.) of their persons under guardianship and to address emergencies as they arise.
Conduct initial inspections of real estate, storage lockers, safe deposit boxes, mobile homes, trailers, and other property of persons under OPG guardianship. These inspections may involve physical labor and use of protective gear.
Oversee and address all aspects of real estate in which a person under guardianship has an interest, including but not limited to title issues, mortgages, insurance, liens, taxes, rental payments, tenants and other property management issues.
Work effectively with other individuals involved with a case outside OPG (e.g., family, medical professionals, social workers, Adult Protective Services, other external or contract attorneys, law enforcement).
Effectively conduct negotiations and promote discussion, when appropriate, to resolve matters.
Maintain regular and timely contact with persons served by the Public Guardian, including visiting at least one person under guardianship per month.
Draft, review and execute contracts, advance directives, pre-need funeral/burial arrangements, and estate planning documents.
Prepare and maintain budgets and promptly conduct financial planning and Medicaid spenddown as appropriate.
Organize and maintain electronic and paper files, records and documents.
Effectively document important events, actions and decisions on each individual case.
Record attorney legal time for billable and non-billable events in a timely manner.
Respond to calls, email, regular mail, and other inquiries daily or in an otherwise timely manner.
Participate in on-call rotation evenings, weekends, and holidays a few times a year.
Seek out supervision and assistance with issues as they arise; follow supervisory direction.
Attend and participate in trainings required to maintain skill, competency, and knowledge of the law and to complete MCLE requirements.
Exhibit willingness to serve in other capacities within the office and/or on behalf of OPG (e.g., serve on office committees, interview and supervise law clerks, conduct research, lead trainings, attend legal conferences, special projects).

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time 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