Assistant Counsel Jobs in Illinois
Assistant Counsel jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, concentrated in corporate legal departments, state and local government agencies, financial services firms, and insurance carriers, with openings at every level from entry-level staff attorney positions through senior assistant general counsel roles. Chicago is the dominant hiring market, followed by Springfield and the broader suburban Chicagoland corridor, where employers like Allstate, United Airlines, and the State of Illinois consistently recruit assistant counsels. The most in-demand specialties include employment law, regulatory compliance, commercial transactions, and government litigation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Vistex is a global enterprise software and services company that helps businesses take control of their mission-critical processes. With a multitude of programs covering pricing, trade, royalties and incentives, it can be complicated to see where all the money is flowing, let alone how much difference it makes to the topline and the bottom line. With Vistex, business stakeholders can see the numbers, see what really works, and see what to do next – so they can make sure every dollar spent or earned is really driving growth, and not just additional costs. The world’s leading enterprises across a spectrum of industries rely on Vistex every day to propel their businesses.
The Senior Legal Counsel and Assistant Secretary will serve as a key legal advisor to the business, supporting commercial operations while expanding leadership across employment matters, data privacy, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation. This role will continue to own and optimize the company’s contract lifecycle management (CLM) processes, while partnering cross-functionally to support scalable, compliant growth across global operations.
Responsibilities:
Commercial Contracts & Negotiations
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including professional services, software licensing, non-disclosure, vendor, and other strategic contracts.
- Assess contractual, legal, and business risks and advise internal stakeholders on practical solutions.
- Join and lead negotiation calls with the commercial team, balancing legal risks and business goals.
- Partner with Finance, Human Resources, IT Security, Sales, and Marketing to ensure contracts comply with company policies and regulatory requirements.
Contract Management & Risk Mitigation
- Continuously improve and streamline processes for contract review, approval, and risk mitigation.
- Use and enhance the company’s Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tool to strengthen efficiency, consistency, reporting, and compliance.
Employment & Labor Law
- Serve as a primary contact for employment-related legal matters, working closely with HR and external employment vendors.
- Advise on Asia-Pacific employment law matters, including hiring, terminations, employee relations, performance management, and workplace policies, coordinating with outside counsel and North American and APAC HR teams.
Regulatory Compliance & Data Privacy
- Advise on data privacy, information security, and regulatory compliance, partnering with IT Security and other stakeholders as needed.
- Help maintain compliance with evolving regulations and industry standards.
- Help develop and maintain internal compliance and risk management policies, procedures, and training.
AI, Technology & Emerging Risks
- Perform due diligence on AI-related matters, including legal, regulatory, and contractual considerations.
- Conduct research projects related to emerging technologies and evolving legal frameworks.
- Partner with product and development teams to draft and negotiate AI-related terms, protections, and safeguards.
Cross-Functional Leadership & General Legal Support
- Manage lawyers in the Legal departments around the globe
- Serve as a trusted legal partner to business leaders across the organization.
- Manage and collaborate with outside counsel as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Legal department and broader business objectives.
The compensation for this position is $200,000 - $240,000 annually. Base pay will vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, a candidate’s location, job-related knowledge, skills and work experience. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary annual bonus. Vistex provides highly competitive benefits including comprehensive healthcare plan, 401(k) and paid time off, including paid volunteerism days!
About us: Vistex solutions help businesses take control of mission critical processes. With a multitude of programs covering pricing, trade, royalties and incentives, it can be complicated to see where all the money is flowing, let alone how much difference it makes to the topline and the bottom line. Vistex solutions are supported by AI capabilities that help turn complexity into insight and action. With Vistex, business stakeholders can see the numbers, see what really works, and see what to do next – so they can make sure every dollar spent or earned is really driving growth, and not just additional costs.
Experience
Required- 10 - 12 years: Experience as a Senior Legal Counsel and Assistant Secretary or similar
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois
- Experience as in-house or in a law firm setting
- Experience advising on employment matters, data privacy, and regulatory compliance.
- Familiarity with CLM tools and contract operations optimization strongly preferred.
- Strong negotiation skills with a practical, business-focused mindset.
- Experience working with global teams and international employment issues (APAC exposure a plus).
- Ability to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously. Flexible approach that includes changing priorities
- Good interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Education
Required- Doctorate or better in Law or related field
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Vistex is a global enterprise software and services company that helps businesses take control of their mission-critical processes. With a multitude of programs covering pricing, trade, royalties and incentives, it can be complicated to see where all the money is flowing, let alone how much difference it makes to the topline and the bottom line. With Vistex, business stakeholders can see the numbers, see what really works, and see what to do next – so they can make sure every dollar spent or earned is really driving growth, and not just additional costs. The world’s leading enterprises across a spectrum of industries rely on Vistex every day to propel their businesses.
The Senior Legal Counsel and Assistant Secretary will serve as a key legal advisor to the business, supporting commercial operations while expanding leadership across employment matters, data privacy, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation. This role will continue to own and optimize the company’s contract lifecycle management (CLM) processes, while partnering cross-functionally to support scalable, compliant growth across global operations.
Responsibilities:
Commercial Contracts & Negotiations
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including professional services, software licensing, non-disclosure, vendor, and other strategic contracts.
- Assess contractual, legal, and business risks and advise internal stakeholders on practical solutions.
- Join and lead negotiation calls with the commercial team, balancing legal risks and business goals.
- Partner with Finance, Human Resources, IT Security, Sales, and Marketing to ensure contracts comply with company policies and regulatory requirements.
Contract Management & Risk Mitigation
- Continuously improve and streamline processes for contract review, approval, and risk mitigation.
- Use and enhance the company’s Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tool to strengthen efficiency, consistency, reporting, and compliance.
Employment & Labor Law
- Serve as a primary contact for employment-related legal matters, working closely with HR and external employment vendors.
- Advise on Asia-Pacific employment law matters, including hiring, terminations, employee relations, performance management, and workplace policies, coordinating with outside counsel and North American and APAC HR teams.
Regulatory Compliance & Data Privacy
- Advise on data privacy, information security, and regulatory compliance, partnering with IT Security and other stakeholders as needed.
- Help maintain compliance with evolving regulations and industry standards.
- Help develop and maintain internal compliance and risk management policies, procedures, and training.
AI, Technology & Emerging Risks
- Perform due diligence on AI-related matters, including legal, regulatory, and contractual considerations.
- Conduct research projects related to emerging technologies and evolving legal frameworks.
- Partner with product and development teams to draft and negotiate AI-related terms, protections, and safeguards.
Cross-Functional Leadership & General Legal Support
- Manage lawyers in the Legal departments around the globe
- Serve as a trusted legal partner to business leaders across the organization.
- Manage and collaborate with outside counsel as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Legal department and broader business objectives.
The compensation for this position is $200,000 - $240,000 annually. Base pay will vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, a candidate’s location, job-related knowledge, skills and work experience. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary annual bonus. Vistex provides highly competitive benefits including comprehensive healthcare plan, 401(k) and paid time off, including paid volunteerism days!
About us: Vistex solutions help businesses take control of mission critical processes. With a multitude of programs covering pricing, trade, royalties and incentives, it can be complicated to see where all the money is flowing, let alone how much difference it makes to the topline and the bottom line. Vistex solutions are supported by AI capabilities that help turn complexity into insight and action. With Vistex, business stakeholders can see the numbers, see what really works, and see what to do next – so they can make sure every dollar spent or earned is really driving growth, and not just additional costs.
Experience
Required- 10 - 12 years: Experience as a Senior Legal Counsel and Assistant Secretary or similar
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois
- Experience as in-house or in a law firm setting
- Experience advising on employment matters, data privacy, and regulatory compliance.
- Familiarity with CLM tools and contract operations optimization strongly preferred.
- Strong negotiation skills with a practical, business-focused mindset.
- Experience working with global teams and international employment issues (APAC exposure a plus).
- Ability to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously. Flexible approach that includes changing priorities
- Good interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Education
Required- Doctorate or better in Law or related field
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 19 Assistant Counsel Jobs in Illinois
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Find Assistant Counsel JobsAssistant Counsel Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Counsel Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant counsel jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois law license issued by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Admissions
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Experience drafting contracts, legal opinions, or regulatory filings
- Familiarity with Illinois statutes, court rules, and administrative agency procedures
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills for litigation or transactional work
- Ability to manage multiple matters independently under minimal supervision
Assistant Counsel Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a assistant counsel in Illinois?
You become an assistant counsel in Illinois by earning a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school and passing the Illinois Bar Examination, administered by the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar. After passing the bar and completing the character and fitness review, you are admitted to practice by the Illinois Supreme Court. Most employers also expect some legal experience, whether through a judicial clerkship, law firm associate work, or a government agency internship before hiring at the assistant counsel level.
How much do assistant counsels make in Illinois?
Assistant counsels in Illinois earn a median of about $160,800 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,160 for the lowest 10% to over $330,200 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire assistant counsels in Illinois?
Employers hiring assistant counsels in Illinois right now include City of Chicago, IL, Avant, and Vistex, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, major insurance carriers, and state government agencies keeps demand for in-house and government assistant counsels consistently high throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most assistant counsel jobs?
Chicago, Champaign, and Wood Dale have the most assistant counsel openings in Illinois. Chicago accounts for the largest share by far, driven by its dense cluster of corporate headquarters, financial institutions, and law firms, while Springfield draws demand from state government agencies and regulatory bodies, and suburban Chicagoland cities attract positions from large insurance and healthcare employers headquartered outside the city center.
Are there remote assistant counsel jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many legal roles, because much assistant counsel work involves contract review, legal research, and written advice that can be done off-site. About 100% of assistant counsel openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of many in-house positions. Transactional and compliance-focused roles tend to have the most remote flexibility, while litigation-heavy positions tied to Illinois courts or agencies typically require regular in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a assistant counsel in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is targeting government attorney and staff counsel positions at Illinois state agencies, the Illinois Attorney General's Office, or Cook County, which regularly hire newly admitted attorneys into structured roles with supervision and training. Large Illinois employers like insurance carriers and financial institutions also run formal legal associate or rotating counsel programs for candidates fresh out of law school. A judicial clerkship with an Illinois state or federal court is a strong credential that many employers treat as equivalent to one or two years of practice experience when evaluating candidates without a lengthy work history.
Where can I find and apply to assistant counsel jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to assistant counsel jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. Search the available roles by city or specialty, find the positions that fit your background and interest, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 19 Assistant Counsel Jobs in Illinois
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