Assistant General Counsel, State Litigation

550154true550154falseSubmission for the position Assistant General Counsel State Litigation - Job Number 2600009Tfalse550154falsetrueAssistant General Counsel State Litigation2600009T2600009TMar 2 2026 92430 AMMar 2 2026 92430 AMCentral-42 West Madison Street Law OfficeCentral-42 West Madison Street Law OfficeS09S0987000.0087000.00115500.00Non-Union PositionNon-Union PositionExemptExempt115500.00

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 whom are 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 Talents 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
• Providing supervision and guidance to assistant general counsels and staff
• Providing 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 groups of CPS departments, schools, and agents
• Demonstrating a strong work ethic, integrity, sound judgment, initiative, and strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

Required Education

• Bachelors 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 years of workers compensation practice experience, including direct experience counseling clients
• Additionally, experience in one or 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
• 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

Benefits

• Health & Wellness: Your Care Your Choice
• CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. Youll 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
• 403b and 457b
• 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

Conditions of Employment

• Establish and 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.