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Legislative Attorney Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Kelley Kronenberg

Associate Attorney

Merrillville, IN · On-site

Monitor legislative changes, judicial rulings, and industry trends in workers' compensation so you ... Work closely with our attorneys and support staff to uphold the high standard of representation ...

Kelley Kronenberg

Associate Attorney

Merrillville, IN · On-site +1

Monitor legislative changes, judicial rulings, and industry trends in workers' compensation so you ... Work closely with our attorneys and support staff to uphold the high standard of representation ...

Kelley Kronenberg

Associate Attorney

Merrillville, IN · On-site +1

Monitor legislative changes, judicial rulings, and industry trends in workers' compensation so you ... Work closely with our attorneys and support staff to uphold the high standard of representation ...

Mercor

Civil Rights Attorney - AI Trainer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$90 - $100/hr

Qualifications Must-Have * 5+ years working as a public interest attorney at a legal aid ... and legislative advocacy actually work. * A recognized professional credential is strongly ...

Lake County

Senior Assistant State's Attorney

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$91K - $110K/yr

... legislative enactments or ordinances, experience advising clients on the OMA or FOIA, work related ... Licensed Attorney in the State of Illinois. Supplemental Information Physiological Factors The ...

MyFlorida

SENIOR ATTORNEY - 79010314

Hillside, IL

$3.0K - $3.8K/wk

SENIOR ATTORNEY - 79010314 Pay Plan: SES Position Number: 79010314 Salary: $3,065.14 - $3,831.42 Bi ... legislative changes; * Develops and drafts policies and rules; * Serves as the primary liaison to ...

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All JobsLegislative Attorney JobsLegislative Attorney Jobs in Chicago, IL

Legislative Attorney information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$30.9K

$66.1K

$124.6K

How much do legislative attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for legislative attorney in Chicago, IL is $66,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,300.00 and $73,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a legislative attorney?

A Legislative Attorney is a legal professional who specializes in analyzing, drafting, and interpreting legislation for government bodies, lawmakers, and committees. They provide legal advice on the implications of proposed laws and help ensure that legislation complies with existing legal frameworks. Legislative Attorneys also conduct legal research, prepare written opinions, and may assist in the legislative process by testifying before committees or advising on policy issues. Their work is essential to the development of clear, effective, and lawful public policy.

What does a legislative attorney do?

As a legislative attorney, your job is to support a legislative body as they prepare reports, documents, and proposed materials. In this role, you may help determine whether or not a proposed bill complies with existing law and suggest solutions for any issues. You also ensure that the legislators follow the correct procedures throughout the process of creating laws. Legislative attorneys often write formal opinions examining the constitutionality, effect, or operation of a bill and provide these to others as necessary. The duties of this job can vary somewhat from area to area, but legislative attorneys almost always work directly for legislative bodies like city councils or state houses of representatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a legislative attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legislative Attorney, you need a law degree, bar admission, and expertise in legislative research, statutory interpretation, and legal writing. Familiarity with legislative tracking systems, legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and government document management tools is common. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for advising lawmakers and drafting legislation. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure accurate, legally sound, and actionable guidance in the fast-paced legislative environment.

How does a legislative attorney typically collaborate with policymakers and other stakeholders during the legislative process?

Legislative Attorneys work closely with lawmakers, legislative staff, and subject matter experts to draft, analyze, and refine proposed legislation. They often participate in meetings or committee hearings to provide legal advice, explain the implications of legal language, and ensure proposed bills comply with state or federal laws. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as Legislative Attorneys must translate complex legal concepts into accessible language for non-lawyers and help build consensus among diverse stakeholders.

What is the difference between Legislative Attorney vs Legislative Analyst?

AspectLegislative AttorneyLegislative Analyst
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission often preferredBachelor's or master's degree in political science, public policy, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, government agencies, legislative bodiesLegislative offices, government agencies, policy research organizations
Employer & Industry UsageLegal departments within legislative bodies, government legal teamsLegislative offices, think tanks, policy analysis firms
Common Search & ComparisonLegal expertise, legislative process, policy reviewPolicy analysis, legislative research, data interpretation

While both roles work within the legislative environment, a Legislative Attorney primarily provides legal advice, drafts legislation, and ensures legal compliance. In contrast, a Legislative Analyst focuses on researching policies, analyzing legislative proposals, and supporting decision-making with data. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in legislative careers.

More about Legislative Attorney jobs

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For Legislative Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Legislative Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Legislative Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Legislative Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legislative Attorney job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 9% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,118 per year, or $31.8 per hour.

Clean Energy Staff Attorney

Environmental Law & Policy Center

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

About ELPC:
The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.
We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C. 
This is a great opportunity for an attorney with deep interest in utility regulation, administrative litigation and clean energy policy, who is motivated by helping to protect the planet, equitable access to clean energy sources and systemic energy transformation.
Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest region.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Clean Energy Staff Attorney will handle critical litigation of utility regulatory cases in support of ELPC’s clean energy program in Midwest states. This is an excellent opportunity in an area of growing strategic importance at the local, regional and national level: fighting climate change by equitably decarbonizing the energy sector through rapid deployment of demand side resources, distributed solar, battery storage, electric vehicles and other distributed energy resources.
The Clean Energy Staff Attorney will engage in a range of venues in our region, including state utility commissions, state and federal courts, legislative bodies, Midwest regional transmission organizations (Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator-MISO, and PJM), and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-FERC. The role will require both litigation skills and strategic leadership working with coalitions to advance clean energy solutions in an equitable manner, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, and accelerate the deployment of distributed energy resources.
POSITION TITLE:  Clean Energy Staff Attorney (full time)
REPORTS TO: Managing Attorney, Clean Energy Program
LOCATION:  Chicago, IL with a hybrid work environment that includes required days in the office each week
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
  • Litigate a range of cases focused on electric and gas industry planning, distributed energy resource deployment, and equitable access to clean energy. Responsibilities will routinely include identifying key cases, developing and managing clients and client coalitions, working with experts to develop testimony, managing and coordinating discovery, cross-examining witnesses, drafting briefs and making oral arguments, and managing associate attorney(s), among other litigation responsibilities.
    • Represent ELPC before state public utility commissions, FERC, administrative agencies and appellate courts
    • Engage with impacted community and partner organizations to ensure advocacy reflects equity and environmental justice priorities
    • Monitor emerging legal, regulatory and market developments affecting clean energy and utility regulation
 
  • Work to execute multi-faceted clean energy policy campaigns, with assistance from other ELPC attorneys, communications experts, policy advocates, legislative advocates, and in coordination with colleagues from other regional and national advocacy organizations and industry representatives.
 
  • Develop and refine strategic direction for ELPC’s clean energy program, including assisting in fundraising to help the program grow.
 
  • Mentor junior attorneys, fellows and/or legal interns as applicable
 
  • Other duties, as assigned.

Education & Experience (years):
Juris Doctor degree
  • Minimum of 7 - 10 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong background and demonstrated interest in clean energy policy and electric/gas utility regulation.
  • At least two years of administrative litigation experience before state utility commissions or similar regulatory bodies preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Excellent legal research writing, oral advocacy and strategic analysis skills
  • Ability to manage complex legal matters independently, as well as work collaboratively
  • Commitment to environmental protection, decarbonization and equity-centered advocacy
  • Familiarity with utility planning processes, including IRPs and distribution planning

Estimated Travel:
  • 10 - 20% domestic travel

Salary:
For candidates who fully meet the requirements, the salary range is $127,500 - $145,000. ELPC also offers a very attractive benefits package competitive to leading national environmental non-profits. 
Application Process:
Please apply via our Careers site and include a cover letter.
 

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