Deputy Corporation Counsel – Administration Division: Job Announcement

Number of Vacancies:  1

The City of Chicago’s Law Department is seeking an attorney in the Administration Division for the position of Deputy Corporation Counsel to manage all litigation for the Law Department as well as manage all outside counsel representing the City on litigation matters.  This Deputy also participates and directs settlement discussions in litigation matters, and directs trial strategy on high-exposure cases.  Finally, this Deputy serves as the liaison with the Police Department and Fire Department with respect to litigation strategy, coordinating the defense of litigation matters, and risk management issues.

The Department defends the City, its departments and employees in both State and Federal Court, as well as numerous administrative forums.  Some of the essential duties of the position include, but are not limited to: planning and establishing goals and objectives for the litigation divisions, participating in the development of legal policies and procedures; monitoring workloads and cases to ensure that they are handled expeditiously; analyzing legislation and court rulings relative to city policy; preparing operational and administrative reports summarizing division activities; evaluating division operations, directing the coordination and preparation of the department’s annual budget.

 Application process

You must submit the following materials in hard copy to:  City of Chicago, Department of Law's Legal Recruiter, 30 N. La Salle Street, Suite 1640, Chicago, IL 60602.

• Cover letter explaining how you meet the qualifications and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below
• Resume
• Law school transcript
• Two writing samples
• Copy of your ARDC card (or your admitted state bar’s equivalent)

Writing Samples

All writing samples submitted in consideration for employment must comply with the following criteria:

1.      Each writing sample submitted must be no less than five (5) pages and no more than twenty (20) pages.

2.      Each writing sample must be written by the applicant within two years of submission.

3.      Each writing sample must be accompanied by a cover page explaining:

a.      the sample's original purpose, i.e., a writing class, moot court brief, memorandum for an employer;

b.      when and for whom the sample was written;

c.      the extent of editing by any third party;

d.      if the writing sample is an excerpt from a larger document, identify that larger document and provide context, if necessary.

If an applicant chooses to submit a writing sample containing confidential or privileged information, the applicant must identify the steps taken (redactions, name changes or consent from the client or employer) to preserve the confidential or privileged nature of the document. 

This Position Is Shakman Exempt. 

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705), 10 years of progressively responsible legal and managerial experience; and 3 years of experience supervising lawyers.

Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Juris Doctorate degree program.

Preference may be given to candidates possessing the following:

·        Litigation experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·        Superior negotiation, critical and analytical thinking, contract drafting, research, writing, editing, advocacy, client counseling and organizational skills

·        The ability to work well with others

·        The ability to exhibit leadership and initiative

·        The ability to manage personnel

·        Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, monitor and control workflow deadlines

 Education & Employment Verification - Please be advised that if you are selected to be hired you must provide, upon request, adequate information regarding your educational and employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position for which you are applying.  If the City of Chicago cannot verify this information, any offer extended to you will be withdrawn and you will not be hired.

Selection Requirements

This position requires applicants to complete an interview.  The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.  

Evaluation:  Your initial evaluation will be based on the documents submitted. Applications must be submitted by the individual applicant.  No second party applications will be accepted.

Residency Requirement:  An employee must be an actual resident of the City of Chicago.  Proof of residency will be required at the time of employment.

If you are disabled and require a reasonable accommodation to file your application, please contact the City of Chicago, Department of Human Resources at 312.744.4976, TTY 312.744.5035.  You will be required to provide information regarding your request.

 ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ANY AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Salary: $137,076 / annually

 City of Chicago        Department of Law                Department of Human Resources

Rahm Emanuel          Stephen R. Patton                   Soo Choi

Mayor                         Corporation Counsel               Commissioner