Director of Lawyer Well-Being, Probation, and Deferral Services

ABOUT ARDC

The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) serves the Supreme Court of Illinois in regulating the legal profession. Our work is grounded in integrity, accountability, and public trust. We maintain high professional standards while fostering a respectful, mission-driven workplace.

Under the direction of the Court, ARDC registers and supports attorneys, delivers education and outreach, and administers a fair disciplinary process. Our role is both regulatory and restorative—ensuring accountability while upholding the integrity of the profession.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Lawyer Well-Being, Probation, and Deferral Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the Commission's lawyer well-being, probation, deferral, diversion, and related restorative services programs. The Director oversees programs designed to protect the public while supporting attorneys whose professional performance has been affected by mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or other impairments.

The Director develops and advances innovative, evidence-informed programs that balance accountability with rehabilitation and support. Working collaboratively across the organization, the Director builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and serves as a trusted resource on the intersection of lawyer well-being, impairment, and lawyer regulation. The Director is expected not only to administer existing programs, but also to continually evaluate, improve, and expand them in furtherance of the Commission's mission, strategic priorities, and commitment to organizational excellence.

As a member of the Commission's management team, the Director contributes to organizational planning and decision-making beyond the responsibilities of the department and helps advance a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the Commission. The Director leads through influence, sound judgment, and partnership, helping to strengthen both the Commission's programs and its organizational capacity.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a long-term vision for the Commission's probation, deferral, diversion, and lawyer well-being programs
• Identify opportunities to improve program effectiveness through innovation, technology, partnerships, and evidence-informed practices
• Develop performance measures and utilize data to evaluate program outcomes and guide continuous improvement
• Ensure departmental initiatives support the Commission's Strategic Plan and organizational priorities

Program Administration

• Direct all aspects of the Commission's probation and deferral programs
• Oversee monitoring of attorneys participating in probation, diversion, and other regulatory support programs
• Ensure programs are administered consistently, fairly, efficiently, and in accordance with Supreme Court Rules, Commission policies, and applicable law
• Develop policies, procedures, and best practices governing program operations

Leadership and Supervision

• Lead, mentor, and develop department staff
• Foster a culture of accountability, empathy, continuous learning, collaboration, and high performance
• Manage departmental workload, resources, budgeting, and operational priorities
• Promote effective cross-functional collaboration throughout the Commission

Subject Matter Expertise

• Serve as the Commission's principal internal resource regarding lawyer impairment, recovery, monitoring, and lawyer well-being
• Maintain current knowledge regarding mental health, substance use disorders, trauma-informed practices, behavioral health research, and developments affecting the legal profession
• Advise Commission leadership regarding emerging issues and opportunities

External Relations and Public Engagement

• Represent the Commission before bar associations, courts, law schools, lawyer assistance programs, regulatory organizations, and professional conferences
• Develop and deliver educational programs regarding lawyer well-being, impairment, professionalism, diversion, probation, and public protection
• Build collaborative relationships with treatment providers, monitoring professionals, lawyer assistance programs, judges, and other stakeholders
• Participate in state and national organizations focused on lawyer regulation and lawyer well-being

Regulatory Judgment

• Exercise sound judgment in balancing public protection, accountability, rehabilitation, and fairness
• Consult with investigative and litigation staff on matters involving impairment
• Recommend appropriate interventions, monitoring conditions, and program improvements
• Assist in the development of policies addressing emerging issues involving attorney impairment and professional responsibility

QUALIFICATIONS AND DESIRED SKILLS

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school and an active member of the bar in good standing
• Active Illinois bar license (or eligibility to obtain admission promptly)
• Accomplished attorney with a minimum 10-15 years of legal practice, demonstrated by a track record of steadily expanding scope and leadership
• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising professional staff or complex programs
• Significant experience working with individuals experiencing mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or other behavioral health challenges
• Experience in attorney discipline, lawyer regulation, lawyer assistance, judicial administration, professional licensing, or a comparable regulatory environment.
• Graduate education or significant formal training in behavioral health, addiction studies, counseling, psychology, social work, public health, or related disciplines.
• Experience designing, implementing, or expanding organizational programs.
• Experience speaking or publishing on lawyer well-being, behavioral health, or professional responsibility.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed practices, motivational interviewing, recovery-oriented systems of care, or similar evidence-based approaches.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public presentation skills
• Commitment to ARDC's mission and values

Why This Role Matters

This role helps ensure that our internal practices reflect the same level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability that define ARDC’s mission.

The ARDC is committed to a culture of inclusion. We offer a hybrid schedule, a congenial work atmosphere, and excellent benefits. Salary will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications, with a targeted salary range of $140,000-$180,000.

The ARDC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to employment@iardc.org to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Pay: $140,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60601

Salary : $140,000 - $180,000