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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 330,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers.  CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Litigation Unit of the Board of Education’s Law Department represents the Board, and its employees, in civil suits filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  The Litigation Unit also handles administrative matters and provides client counseling.

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel of Litigation, the Assistant General Counsel will represent CPS and its agents in state court and various administrative forums.Matters include personal injury cases ranging from slip and falls to sexual assaults and death cases, mechanic’s liens, property tax appeals, construction cases, whistleblower claims, limited employment matters, and breach of contract claims.  

The Assistant General Counsel  will be accountable for the following responsibilities:

Typical Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Managing an active litigation caseload and exercising independent judgment on complex issues related to personal injury, torts, affirmative litigation, property tax appeals, administrative hearings, debarments and other substantive litigation areas as needed;

• Provide client counseling, advice, guidance, and support across a network of schools and departments.

• Working cooperatively with supervisors, attorneys, and staff within the Law Department;

• Developing and maintaining professional, client-centered and productive relationships with a diverse group of CPS departments, schools and agents; and  

• Demonstrating a strong work ethic, integrity, sound judgment, initiative, and strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.   

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Assistant General Counsel must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:                                           

• Juris Doctorate from accredited law school

• Illinois license to practice law.

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• 2+ years litigation experience

• Experience in some or all of the following: jury and bench trials; personal injury litigation; business-related torts; the Tort Immunity Act; Motion Section of the Cook County Law Division; commercial litigation including breach of contract actions and real estate - construction and/or mechanics liens; affirmative litigation and collections; representing governmental or education agency.   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set.

• Strong communication skills - writing, speaking, and listening.

• Proven ability to manage a caseload with significant financial and/or reputational exposure.

• Self-motivated with an ability to build trusting relationships with a diverse group of colleagues and clients.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage numerous cases and matters simultaneously under pressure.

• Ability to serve as a zealous advocate for CPS while concurrently maintaining high standards of integrity.

• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency -Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 -Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.