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Water Rights Attorney Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Water Rights Attorney information

See Illinois salary details

$44.6K

$104.8K

$167.2K

How much do water rights attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for water rights attorney in Illinois is $104,810.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $126,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical workweek look like for a Water Rights Attorney?

A typical workweek for a Water Rights Attorney often involves a mix of activities such as reviewing legal documents, conducting research on water law and environmental regulations, drafting legal opinions or contracts, and representing clients in administrative hearings or court. Attorneys may also interact frequently with governmental agencies, engineers, and water resource specialists to gather technical data and coordinate compliance strategies. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including other attorneys, paralegals, and technical experts—is common, as many cases involve complex scientific and regulatory issues. Depending on the employer, the role may also include community outreach or policy advisory responsibilities, offering a dynamic and intellectually challenging work environment.

How to make $500,000 as a lawyer?

A Water Rights Attorney can earn $500,000 by gaining extensive expertise in water law, building a strong client base, and working in regions with high-value water rights cases. High earnings often come from handling complex negotiations, litigation, and consulting for government agencies or large corporations, often requiring advanced degrees, certifications, and a reputation for expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Water Rights Attorney position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Rights Attorney, you need expertise in water law, environmental regulations, legal research, and strong analytical abilities, typically supported by a Juris Doctor (JD) and bar admission. Familiarity with case management software, legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, and knowledge of regulatory agency procedures are often required. Exceptional negotiation, client communication, and advocacy skills help set candidates apart in this competitive field. These competencies are vital to effectively navigating complex water rights disputes, advising clients, and ensuring compliance with evolving water laws.

What is a Water Rights Attorney job?

A Water Rights Attorney specializes in legal issues related to water use, allocation, and disputes. They help clients secure, protect, and transfer water rights while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. Their work may involve litigation, negotiations, environmental concerns, and advising on water-related contracts. They often represent municipalities, agricultural interests, businesses, and private landowners.

How to become a water lawyer?

To become a water lawyer, you typically need to earn a bachelor's degree followed by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school. Specializing in environmental or water law through coursework, internships, or certifications can enhance your expertise, and passing the state bar exam is required to practice law in your jurisdiction.

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Water rights attorneys, a specialized legal role, typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and firm size. Very few lawyers in this field reach or exceed $500,000 per year, which is more common among top corporate or trial attorneys with extensive experience and high-profile clients.

What is the highest paid type of attorney?

Corporate attorneys, especially those specializing in mergers and acquisitions, securities, or intellectual property, tend to be among the highest paid attorneys. Water Rights Attorneys generally earn less than corporate or patent attorneys, as their focus is more specialized and often involves regional or state-specific issues. Overall, attorneys in corporate law and those working in large firms or high-stakes litigation typically have the highest salaries.
What are the most commonly searched types of Water Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Water Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois are:
What job categories do people searching Water Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Water Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois are:
Infographic showing various Water Rights Attorney job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% Hybrid, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,810 per year, or $50.4 per hour.
School of Law, Clinical Assistant Professor, Health Justice Project, Non-Tenure Track

School of Law, Clinical Assistant Professor, Health Justice Project, Non-Tenure Track

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Position Details
Position Details
Job Title
School of Law, Clinical Assistant Professor, Health Justice Project, Non-Tenure Track
Position Title
School of Law, Clinical Assistant Professor, Health Justice Project, Non-Tenure Track
Position Number
Job Category
University Faculty
Job Type
Full-Time
FLSA Status
Exempt
Campus
Chicago-Water Tower Campus
Location Code
SCHOOL OF LAW INST HEALTH LAW (02700D)
Department Name
LAW SCHOOL
Is this split and/or fully grant funded?
No
Duties and Responsibilities
Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000
Benefits Information: https://www.luc.edu/hr/benefits/
The Health Justice Project (HJP) is an interprofessional program and clinic housed in the Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy's top-ranked health law program at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. The HJP offers clinical and other experiential courses focused on access to health care, poverty law, and health equity. The HJP partners with Loyola Medicine and Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine using the medical-legal partnership model to address the health harming legal needs of vulnerable patients through its Maywood MLP project. Students enrolled in the HJP clinic engage in direct client representation and policy advocacy to improve access to health care and public assistance programs, healthy stable housing, and supports and accommodations for persons with disabilities, and address other holistic social and legal needs to improve client health and well-being. The HJP also collaborates with faculty and students from social work, public health, medicine, nursing, and other university programs to provide community education and support and collaborative holistic legal care.
The Clinical Teaching Fellow will work in collaboration with the Director of the HJP, assisting with client representation, research and policy work, and supervision of law students. The fellow will also assist with teaching the HJP clinic course, the weekend HJP clinic course, and possibly other health justice courses. The fellow will engage in interprofessional collaborations with other university programs such as medicine, social work, public health, nursing, etc.
This fellowship offers leadership development, experience collaborating on an interprofessional team, clinical teaching experience, support for research and scholarship, and career growth for public interest attorneys. The fellowship is particularly well-suited for lawyers who are seeking a career in clinical law teaching or social and health justice advocacy. The ideal applicant has experience in an MLP, public interest, or law school clinic setting, is barred in Illinois by the start date (or bar eligible) and has experience in one or more of the following areas of law: public benefits, disability, housing, advance care planning, education, immigration, guardianship, civil rights, race-conscious lawyering, and/or family law. Teaching fellowships are 1-year positions with the possibility of renewal.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
  • Engage in direct legal representation, research, and policy work to improve access to health care and public benefits, access to healthy stable housing, advocate on behalf of clients with disabilities and chronic health challenges, and address health inequities through holistic legal care;

  • Assist the HJP director with strategic planning, management and administration of the HJP clinic as needed;

  • Supervise students, volunteers, and staff, including overseeing intake, supporting case advocacy, reviewing drafts of emails, correspondence and pleadings, and attending hearings, court, and meetings with students;

  • Train students and healthcare and community partners on poverty law, client counseling, and the social and structural determinants of health;

  • Prepare and communicate information to partners, colleagues, students, and volunteers regarding legal and social resources;
  • Maintain frequent and professional communication with contacts at community health centers and other collaborating entities and programs;

  • Support faculty research, develop materials for publication, and assist with event planning.

  • Other clinic and curricular duties as determined in collaboration with the clinic director.

Qualifications
Bachelor's and J.D. degrees required. Demonstrated interest in public interest law and two or more years of public interest direct legal and/or policy experience.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal sources (including regulations, statutes, case law, administrative decisions, and legislative history), law periodicals, professional journals, and agency procedures. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and legal manuals in a variety of subjects, including housing, public benefits, immigration, education, trusts and estates, guardianship, health equity, and/or health law. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from partners, health center staff, clients, students, and the public.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team. Detail-oriented. Flexible work attitude, ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a small staff and frequent student turnover (due to semester-long courses and graduation).
Ability to successfully interact with a variety of people of various socio-economic, racial and ethnic, ability, and education levels and a strong commitment to client-centered lawyering. Excellent judgment, including sensitivity to diverse client and student needs, cultural nuances, and confidentiality. Interest in teaching students, serving low-income clients, and addressing health inequities.
Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is highly preferred.
Computer Skills:
Adept user of Internet, case management systems, e-mail, class management software and other office automation systems. Will be expected to oversee the installation and maintenance of case management and data collection system.
Certificates and Licenses:
  • Juris Doctor
  • Admission/eligibility for admission to the Illinois Bar

Physical Demands
None
Working Conditions
None
Minimum Education and/or Work Experience
Bachelor's and J.D. degrees required. Demonstrated interest in public interest law and two or more years of public interest direct legal and/or policy experience.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal sources (including regulations, statutes, case law, administrative decisions, and legislative history), law periodicals, professional journals, and agency procedures. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and legal manuals in a variety of subjects, including housing, public benefits, immigration, education, trusts and estates, guardianship, health equity, and/or health law. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from partners, health center staff, clients, students, and the public.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team. Detail oriented. Flexible work attitude, ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a small staff and frequent student turnover (due to semester long courses and graduation).
Ability to successfully interact with a variety of people of various socio-economic, racial and ethnic, ability, and education levels and a strong commitment to client-centered lawyering. Excellent judgment, including sensitivity to diverse client and student needs, cultural nuances, and confidentiality. Interest in teaching students, serving low-income clients, and addressing health inequities.
Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is highly preferred.
Open Date
04/08/2026
Close Date
Salary Range
$80,000-$85,000
Additional Salary Information
This salary range is for a twelve-month academic appointment. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on a range of factors including, but not limited to, the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree; training; field or discipline; budget availability; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Position to begin in August 2026. Applicants are asked to complete an application through the Loyola University Chicago HR site and submit (1) a letter of interest, (2) curriculum vitae or resume, and (3) the names and contact information of three individuals prepared to provide professional references.
Direct applications to: https://www.careers.luc.edu. Make inquiries to: Kate Mitchell, Director, Health Justice Project, School of Law, Loyola University Chicago, by email kmitchell9@luc.edu.
As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago's mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university's focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.
About Loyola University Chicago
Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes-including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences-Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation's top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country's most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world.
Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here.
Loyola adheres to all applicable federal, state, and/or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University's Nondiscrimination Policy.
Quick Link for Posting
https://www.careers.luc.edu/postings/34982
Job Number
8500935
Organizational Location
PROVOST