Legal Services

Legal Research Services Unit

Legal Research Services is composed of two full-time staff attorneys. Members of the Unit are attorneys licensed to practice in Illinois. Each summer the Unit is augmented by interns from law schools throughout the country. Additionally, students may work with the Unit as externs while attending law school.

The most senior staff attorney serves as Unit manager to facilitate workflow, central communications, and represent the other Unit members when needed. Legal Research Services provides legal support to Lake County’s 36 judges as well as to the Executive Director and 4 core Directors. For the judges, the Unit performs legal research and writing on a variety of civil and criminal topics. In addition, the Unit regularly compiles, edits, and updates bench materials for the Courts. Further, the Unit provides legal support to judicial committees and assists with local rules, Court forms, and new legislation.

For the Executive Director and the core Directors, the Unit provides legal assistance in a variety of areas. The Unit anticipates and evaluates new legislation and prepares policy recommendations. Further, the Unit acts as a legal liaison to the other Directors and considers issues unique to their division.