Assistant General Counsel, Federal Litigation

Assistant General Counsel, Federal Litigation

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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.

Under direct supervision of the Deputy and Assistant Deputy General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel, Federal Litigation represents CPS and its agents in litigation pending primarily in the Northern District of Illinois, as well as administrative forums (e.g., EEOC, IDHR, and HRC). The Assistant General Counsel works with the Senior Assistant General Counsels and other Assistant General Counsels on the Federal Litigation team and has the opportunity to provide meaningful counsel to CPS leadership, informing policy decisions and resource allocation. Matters include employment related claims (e.g., Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA), civil rights claims brought under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983, substantive and procedural due process, and Title IX. This is a full-time, non-exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Assistant General Counsel, Federal Litigation will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Manage active litigation caseload and serve as counsel on cases in which the Board and/or employees are named defendants;
• Collaborate with Senior Assistant General Counsel, fellow Assistant General Counsels, and support staff on litigation strategy and overall case management;
• Provide client counseling, advice, guidance and support across a network of schools and departments;
• Review and edit written work product;
• Analyze case value and make recommendations on case resolutions.

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

• Education Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. Licensed and authorized to practice law in the state of Illinois. Admission to the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Illinois is preferred
• Experience Required: Minimum of one (1) year legal experience, inclusive of internships, externships and/or clerkships, two (2) years preferred Experience in employment law and/or civil rights law strongly preferred
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Experience litigating employment related and civil rights claims in federal court; Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing); Ability to define and analyze problems quickly, prioritize the level of importance, create valid conclusions and action steps, and determine when higher level intervention is necessary; Capable of building trusting relationships and functioning effectively with Board agents, whose decisions are being challenged in court; Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage numerous cases simultaneously under pressure and with limited supervision; Demonstrated ability to take ownership of and solve problems, to expeditiously assess issues, and provide sound legal advice to a wide-variety of client-types, including senior leadership, school administrators and staff, and Central office employees.

Benefits: Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs: Medical Plan Options Pharmacy Dental Vision Behavioral Health & EAP Employee Wellness Program Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options: Basic Life Insurance Life and Disability Insurance Pension Plans Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b)) Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Spot Pet Insurance Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies: Paid Leave Sick Leave Vacation Days Parental Leaves Short-Term Disability Religious Holidays Leaves Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

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.