Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

The Workplace Rights Bureau’s mission is to protect the rights of workers in Illinois, particularly those most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.  The Bureau investigates and brings enforcement actions under Illinois statutes that protect workers from wage theft, overtime violations, misclassification, discrimination, and other abusive employment practices. The Bureau frequently initiates investigations based on complaints from workers who have been victimized by unlawful employment practices. The Bureau has significant investigatory tools, including pre-litigation, civil subpoena power, that enable thorough investigations of potential violations within the Bureau’s jurisdiction. The Bureau’s investigations and enforcement actions result in substantial monetary and injunctive relief each year for impacted workers.   

The Bureau also employs innovative legal strategies and a wide range of statutes to protect workers’ rights. For example, the Bureau has collaborated with state antitrust enforcers to obtain favorable precedent and recoveries in cases involving unlawful no-poach agreements and other anti-competitive practices harming workers. The Bureau also assists with drafting legislative and regulatory proposals impacting workers.

Beyond investigations and litigation, the Bureau also comments on proposed state and federal rulemaking and drafts amicus briefs on important workers’ rights issues, often in collaboration with other state attorney general’s offices.

The Bureau is looking for dynamic, hard-working, and creative attorneys and staff who are committed to protecting workers’ rights.

Responsibilities: 

The Deputy Bureau Chief for the Workplace Rights Bureau is responsible for supervising the Bureau’s staff and work, including investigations, litigation, legislative and regulatory reviews, and public advocacy and engagement on workers’ rights issues as assigned by the Bureau Chief. In addition to assisting the Bureau Chief with supervisory responsibilities, the Deputy Bureau Chief will also have significant investigative and litigation responsibilities, including: drafting and reviewing subpoenas and discovery requests; reviewing materials and information obtained during investigations and discovery; drafting complaints and other pleadings; interviewing witnesses; taking depositions; drafting and reviewing briefs; and conducting evidentiary hearings and trials. The Deputy Bureau Chief may also perform additional duties as assigned by the Bureau Chief.

Qualifications:

Newly licensed attorneys will not be considered. Candidates should have significant litigation experience and be licensed by the State of Illinois at the time of application or be willing to promptly gain admission to the Illinois bar. A strong candidate will have sound judgment, excellent research and writing skills, leadership experience, complex litigation experience, a commitment to the public interest, strong interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated ability to work independently. Candidates with fluency in Spanish are encouraged to apply.

Salaries are commensurate with the number of years of practice as a licensed attorney and start at $79,400.