Legal Counsel – Procurement

Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois

. Provide legal review and negotiation of TRS-generated master agreements, vendor form contracts, and related procurement documents .

Posted 11/12/2026full-timeLisle • Illinois • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $119,934 - $187,098 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in legal review, negotiation, and drafting of contracts, with a strong focus on procurement and compliance within public and governmental sectors. Proven ability to manage complex legal matters while providing guidance and oversight to procurement departments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

JD From Accredited Law SchoolLicensed Attorney In IllinoisContract Drafting And NegotiationExperience In Public/Governmental Retirement PlansProject Management Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Legal ReviewContract NegotiationContract DraftingBid Solicitation ReviewStatement Of Work DraftingNDA DraftingProcurement Policies ReviewRisk MinimizationLegal Vulnerability IdentificationBest-Practice Contract Development

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationPrudent JudgmentDecision-MakingProactive ApproachTime Management

Certifications & Qualifications

Licensed Attorney

Industry Keywords

ProcurementGovernmental AgencyTax-Qualified Retirement PlansIT Software AgreementsAgency Contracting

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide legal review and negotiation of TRS-generated master agreements, vendor form contracts, and related procurement documents
Provide legal oversight and guidance to the TRS Procurement Department and internal business leads
Review contract forms, templates, solicitation documents, procurement policies and procedures, and administrative rules
Review and draft contracts, bid solicitations, Statements of Work, NDAs, and other contract documentation
Negotiate TRS master agreements and vendor-proposed revisions to minimize risk and protect TRS interests
Assist the TRS Procurement Department with contract administration
Develop standardized best-practice contract terms for professional services and operational needs
Proactively identify legal vulnerabilities and provide preventative counseling on TRS procurement matters
Coordinate with Procurement and other departments regarding assigned duties and anticipated procurement needs
Attend Procurement and Contracting Oversight Committee meetings and provide related support
Provide backup coverage to internal counsel on other TRS legal matters
Assist with departmental administrative matters and special projects
Limited travel may be required for training or CLE

Requirements

What you’ll need

Graduate of and hold a JD from an accredited law school
Licensed attorney in good standing in the State of Illinois
Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible service handling complex legal matters in a law firm, corporate legal department, or governmental agency
Substantial experience in contract drafting and negotiations
Previous experience in public/governmental retirement plans, tax-qualified retirement plans, agency contracting and procurement, IT software and service agreements, or nondisclosure agreements strongly preferred
Ability to successfully prioritize and manage numerous projects concurrently
Ability to manage competing departments’ legal requests within tight timeframes and meet deadlines
Effective professional written and verbal communication
Prudent judgment and decision-making skills
Proactive approach to responsibilities

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision coverage
TRS retirement pension plan
Option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans
Payment of bar dues
Payment of MCLE requirements
Professional memberships aligned with job duties