CASE ATTORNEY

Essential Functions

• Serves as case attorney for the Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission (TIRC) and provides direct specialized legal services for Commission issues, with primary emphasis on Torture Inquiry and investigatory procedures.
• Analyzes evidence, after investigation into a claim of torture is complete, in conjunction with legal standards of TIRC Act and caselaw to determine a recommendation to make to the Executive Director and Commission regarding granting of claims and referral to court or denial/dismissal of claims.
• Performs occasional Commission-related research/drafting assignments as assigned by the Executive Director or Supervising Attorney regarding legal matters pertinent to Commission business
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonable within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years college.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
• Requires the possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers one (1) year of Criminal law experience, particularly post-conviction proceedings.
• Prefers one (1) year experience with Illinois Code of Criminal Procedure, Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, Illinois Supreme Court Rules, and Illinois Rules of Evidence.
• 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.
• Prefers one (1) year experience with Administrative Law, Illinois Freedom of Information Act and Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.

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.