Assistant General Counsel, State 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 CPS Law Department provides a full array of legal services to the Chicago Board of Education and the various departments and divisions of Chicago Public Schools. The State Litigation Unit ("State Lit") represents the Board in civil suits filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County and also handles administrative matters and provides client counseling. Matters include personal injury cases ranging from slip and falls to sexual assault and death cases, mechanics liens, property tax appeals, construction cases, whistleblower claims, limited employment matters, breach of contract claims, debarments, bid protests and FOIA litigation.

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy and Assistant Deputy General and Senior Counsels, the Assistant General Counsel will represent CPS at the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission and state court. This role involves managing the defense of CPS in workers' compensation cases, working directly with CPS' third party administrator to advise on claims handling, strategy, and data analytics, as well as managing related recovery efforts including subrogation and affirmative litigation. The Assistant General Counsel will collaborate and provide guidance to appellate counsel on workers' compensation matters, work closely with CPS Talent's workers' compensation manager, and various stakeholders to align benefits across units while providing strategic counsel to CPS leadership, informing policy decisions and resource allocation. This is a full-time, non-exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

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

• Managing an active workers compensation caseload and exercising independent judgment on complex issues related to;
• Provide supervision and guidance to assistant general counsels and staff;
• 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 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.

Required Education :

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and authorized to practice law in the state of Illinois.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of workers compensation practice experience, including direct experience counseling clients, is required.
• Additionally, experience in one of more of the following areas is preferred: insurance defense, declaratory actions, breach of contract, affirmative litigation, municipal benefits and collections.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing)
• Proven ability to manage a caseload with significant financial and/or reputational exposure.
• Self-motivated with an ability to build trusting relationships with diverse groups 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 the highest standards of integrity.
• Preferred prior supervisory experience and a demonstrated ability to manage personnel of differing abilities;
• Possess the ability to quickly analyze a problem/question and decide the level of importance and when higher level intervention is necessary;
• Ability to articulate and execute a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set;
• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment;
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps.

In order to be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample, preferably a dispositive motion.

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.