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Opportunities

In addition to offering competitive salaries, employees receive a robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug benefits, life insurance, and pension plan; paid time off, including vacation, sick, personal time, and 13 paid holidays; Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program; 12-week Paid Parental Leave; and remote work opportunities.  Information concerning benefits can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page.  The Office of the Cook County Public Guardian is an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified candidates may submit a resume and cover letter to Kelley A. Thornton, Deputy of Administration & Human Resources, at kelley.thornton@cookcountyil.gov.

Attorney I

Grade:              18

Location:         Adult Guardianship Division

Salary:             $88,144+ Full Benefits   

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 outlined in the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and relevant case law.

Qualifications: 

  1. Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.
  2. Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois or admitted to practice law pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 717. Law school graduates awaiting the July 2025 Illinois bar results are eligible to apply.
  3. Ability to multitask, pay close attention to detail, and prioritize responsibilities.
  4. Ability to conduct complex and detailed analysis of legal and other issues relevant to persons with disabilities.
  5. Excellent professional judgment, leadership, communication, crisis intervention, and people skills.
  6. Ability to work independently to solve complex issues and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet deadlines.
  7. Experience working with or advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities.
  8. 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.

  1. Serve as attorney and agent for the Public Guardian when he is appointed guardian by the Probate Court for a person with disabilities.
  2. Appear in court on behalf of the Public Guardian (including Probate, Law, Municipal, Chancery, and other divisions).
  3. Effectively and professionally advocate before judges, hearing officers, and administrative law judges.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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 promptly.
  7. 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 promptly.
  8. 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-of-life decisions, etc.) of their persons under guardianship and to address emergencies as they arise.
  9. 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 the use of protective gear.
  10. 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.
  11. 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).
  12. Effectively conduct negotiations and promote discussion, when appropriate, to resolve matters.
  13. Maintain regular and timely contact with persons served by the Public Guardian, including visiting at least one person under guardianship per month.
  14. Draft, review, and execute contracts, advance directives, pre-need funeral/burial arrangements, and estate planning documents.
  15. Prepare and maintain budgets and promptly conduct financial planning and Medicaid spenddown as appropriate.
  16. Organize and maintain electronic and paper files, records, and documents.
  17. Effectively document important events, actions, and decisions on each case.
  18. Record attorney legal time for billable and non-billable events promptly.
  19. Respond to calls, emails, regular mail, and other inquiries daily or promptly.
  20. Participate in on-call rotation evenings, weekends, and holidays a few times a year.
  21. Seek out supervision and assistance with issues as they arise; follow supervisory direction.
  22. Attend and participate in trainings required to maintain skill, competency, and knowledge of the law and to complete MCLE requirements.
  23. 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, and special projects).

   WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Continuously sit at a desk for long periods of time in front of a computer screen;
  • Intermittently twist to reach equipment or supplies surrounding the desk;
  • Perform simple grasping and fine manipulation;
  • Strength to lift files weighing up to 20 pounds;
  • Use a telephone and a computer keyboard daily.

Law Student Internship

(Juvenile, Adult Guardianship, and Domestic Relations Divisions & Appeals Unit)

The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Divisions and Appeals Unit welcome law clerks throughout the year to assist in representing clients from birth to age 21. Volunteers, grant recipients, and students working for credit are encouraged to apply. The law clerk program is designed to provide students with practical experience. Law clerks may request to be assigned to the Juvenile Division, the Domestic Relations Division, or the Appeals Unit. Duties may include drafting motions and other court documents, legal research, appellate briefs, case preparation, interviewing witnesses, and assisting experienced attorneys in advocating for children and youth. Students with a license issued pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 may appear in court under the supervision of a licensed attorney and receive training to interview child clients. All law clerks participate in an orientation and formal training. Each law clerk receives performance evaluations. Law clerks must be enrolled in an accredited law school, possess the ability to communicate and work with attorneys and other professional staff, demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, and show enthusiasm and assertiveness. All internships and clerkships are unpaid. Check with your school for externships or other credit arrangements. Volunteers, grant recipients, and students working for credit may submit a cover letter and resume via email to the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, Attn: Law Clerk Coordinator, Law Clerk Program, opg@cookcountyil.gov. Deadlines for submitting applications are November 15th for Spring clerkships, March 15th for Summer clerkships, and July 15th for Fall clerkships.

The Adult Guardianship Division of the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian offers a unique opportunity to law students. Attorneys in the Adult Guardianship Division represent the Public Guardian in his capacity as guardian of disabled adults. While attorneys primarily handle guardianship matters in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, they often find themselves representing the Public Guardian on behalf of disabled adults in other divisions such as Municipal, Chancery, and Domestic Relations, to name a few. As law clerks in the Adult Guardianship Division, students assist attorneys by conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, motions, and other legal pleadings, and preparing for trial or other hearings. Student law clerks are also offered the unique opportunity to accompany attorneys in the field to conduct real property inspections, visit with disabled adults at their residences, and attend meetings with other professionals working with disabled adults. A law student with a license under Supreme Court Rule 711 may appear before the court supervised by one of the Adult Guardianship attorneys. All student law clerks are provided in-house training at the start of the clerkship and are mentored by the attorneys. All internships and clerkships are unpaid. Check with your school for externships or other credit arrangements. Interested law students should submit a cover letter and resume via email to the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, Attn: Law Clerk Coordinator, Law Clerk Program, opg@cookcountyil.gov. Deadlines for submitting applications are November 15th for Spring clerkships, March 15th for Summer clerkships, and July 15th for Fall clerkships.

Caseworker Advocate Internship

The caseworker advocate student internship allows qualified students to assist the caseworker advocacy unit in interviewing children in order to gather information from the child’s perspective. This is a field position, requiring students to have a vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and insurance.

Psychology Student Internship

The Juvenile Division welcomes master’s and doctoral-level psychology students interested in completing a social justice practicum as part of their training through their academic program. Students interested in learning about advocacy, public service, marginalized populations, legal proceedings, and child welfare are encouraged to apply.  Internships are unpaid. Psychology students will complete a project as part of a team that aims to facilitate advocacy in meeting the needs of our clients. Interns must be enrolled in an accredited institution with an educational agreement in place with our office, demonstrate good time management, analytical skills, and organizational abilities, and have an interest in research and a passion for learning about working with this population. Psychology students receive weekly supervision by a licensed clinical psychologist.

THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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