Legal Counsel Jobs in Illinois
Legal Counsel jobs in Illinois are concentrated in corporate compliance, employment law, healthcare regulation, and commercial transactions, with demand at every level from entry-level associate counsel through senior and general counsel roles. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most active hiring metros in the country, followed by Naperville and Rosemont, where regional corporate headquarters cluster. Long-established employers such as Boeing, Caterpillar, and United Airlines maintain significant in-house legal teams in Illinois and hire legal counsels across practice areas on a recurring basis. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 28+ Legal Counsel jobs
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
Empower business innovation through strategic legal guidance. As a Senior Counsel at AbbVie, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams to shape decisions that bring great possibilities to patients ethically and effectively. This role builds on foundational experience, enabling you to navigate regulatory complexity, assess risk, and influence business outcomes, all while developing leadership capabilities for long-term career growth. The role will support various Operations stakeholders, including AbbVie’s onsite Pharmacy and advise on pharmacy regulatory compliance, controlled substance management, pharmacy licensure matters, as well as commercial contracts requests.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a key legal advisor to cross-functional business teams, providing proactive counsel on commercial, regulatory, or operational issues Interpret and apply U.S. laws and global regulations relevant to the pharmaceutical or healthcare environment Review and advise on contracts, business activities, and strategic initiatives to ensure legal compliance and alignment with company objectives. Support the development and implementation of legal policies, compliance programs, and training effort.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners to manage risk, resolve disputes, and influence outcomes Provide clear, timely guidance on evolving legal questions in a business-first manner
- Translate complex legal/regulatory issues into practical business advice.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of commercial contracts.
- Advise the onsite specialty pharmacy team on federal and state pharmacy laws, including DEA and state Board of Pharmacy regulations governing controlled substance procurement, storage, dispensing, and recordkeeping.
- Support specialty pharmacy licensure and permit applications, renewals, and compliance audits across applicable jurisdictions, coordinating with Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance as needed.
- Partner with the pharmacy team to develop and maintain standard operating procedures, policies, and training materials that reflect current legal and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
Required:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. Active license to practice law in job location.
- Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience practicing in-house at a pharmaceutical company, practicing as a member of a nationally recognized law firm in a life sciences or healthcare practice, or practicing as an attorney for a government agency, or any combination of the above.
- Experience advising on pharmacy-related legal matters.
Preferred:
- Exposure to biopharma, healthcare, or life sciences compliance topics
- Demonstrate ability to advise business clients and assess legal risk in real time
- Experience handling complex matters with a degree of autonomy and cross-functional collaboration
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate legal complexity into business clarity
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
Empower business innovation through strategic legal guidance. As a Senior Counsel at AbbVie, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams to shape decisions that bring great possibilities to patients ethically and effectively. This role builds on foundational experience, enabling you to navigate regulatory complexity, assess risk, and influence business outcomes, all while developing leadership capabilities for long-term career growth. The role will support various Operations stakeholders, including AbbVie’s onsite Pharmacy and advise on pharmacy regulatory compliance, controlled substance management, pharmacy licensure matters, as well as commercial contracts requests.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a key legal advisor to cross-functional business teams, providing proactive counsel on commercial, regulatory, or operational issues Interpret and apply U.S. laws and global regulations relevant to the pharmaceutical or healthcare environment Review and advise on contracts, business activities, and strategic initiatives to ensure legal compliance and alignment with company objectives. Support the development and implementation of legal policies, compliance programs, and training effort.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners to manage risk, resolve disputes, and influence outcomes Provide clear, timely guidance on evolving legal questions in a business-first manner
- Translate complex legal/regulatory issues into practical business advice.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of commercial contracts.
- Advise the onsite specialty pharmacy team on federal and state pharmacy laws, including DEA and state Board of Pharmacy regulations governing controlled substance procurement, storage, dispensing, and recordkeeping.
- Support specialty pharmacy licensure and permit applications, renewals, and compliance audits across applicable jurisdictions, coordinating with Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance as needed.
- Partner with the pharmacy team to develop and maintain standard operating procedures, policies, and training materials that reflect current legal and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
Required:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. Active license to practice law in job location.
- Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience practicing in-house at a pharmaceutical company, practicing as a member of a nationally recognized law firm in a life sciences or healthcare practice, or practicing as an attorney for a government agency, or any combination of the above.
- Experience advising on pharmacy-related legal matters.
Preferred:
- Exposure to biopharma, healthcare, or life sciences compliance topics
- Demonstrate ability to advise business clients and assess legal risk in real time
- Experience handling complex matters with a degree of autonomy and cross-functional collaboration
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate legal complexity into business clarity
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
See All 28 Legal Counsel Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Counsel JobsLegal Counsel Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Counsel Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Fintech
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
- Investment & Asset Management
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal counsel jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois attorney license issued by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school required
- Minimum three to seven years of practice in corporate, employment, or regulatory law
- Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and agreements
- Ability to advise senior leadership and cross-functional teams on legal risk
- Experience with litigation management, outside counsel oversight, or regulatory filings
Legal Counsel Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal counsel in Illinois?
Becoming a legal counsel in Illinois requires earning a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, passing the Illinois Bar Examination, and obtaining an active license through the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Most in-house legal counsel roles also expect prior practice experience, typically gained at a law firm or a government agency before transitioning to a corporate legal department.
How much do legal counsels make in Illinois?
Legal 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 legal counsels in Illinois?
Employers hiring legal counsels in Illinois right now include AbbVie, JPMorganChase, and Wolters Kluwer, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, major healthcare systems, and financial services firms means in-house legal teams here tend to be large and hire across multiple practice areas year-round.
Which Illinois cities have the most legal counsel jobs?
Chicago, Itasca, and North Chicago have the most legal counsel openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share of postings because it hosts the Illinois headquarters of major corporations, financial institutions, and hospital systems, while Naperville and Rosemont generate consistent demand from the regional corporate campuses and logistics companies concentrated along the Interstate 88 and O'Hare corridors.
Are there remote legal counsel jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many legal roles, because legal counsel work is largely desk-based, document-driven, and conducted by phone and video conference. About 72% of legal counsel openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. Contract review, compliance advisory, and employment law counseling are the sub-areas most frequently offered on a remote or hybrid basis by Illinois employers.
How can I get hired as a legal counsel in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is joining a large Illinois law firm or a government legal office to build practice experience before moving in-house. Major Illinois employers including healthcare systems and public utilities regularly hire associate general counsel or junior compliance counsel for candidates coming directly from clerkships or agency roles. Passing the Illinois Bar and gaining exposure to contract work or regulatory filings through a clinic, externship, or staff attorney position significantly strengthens an application for an initial in-house role.
Where can I find and apply to legal counsel jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to legal counsel jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and practice area and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 28 Legal Counsel Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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