Assistant General Counsel, Federal Litigation

Description:

Job Summary:
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 AGC's 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.

The Assistant General Counsel, Federal Experience 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 AGC, fellow AGC's, 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; and
• Analyze case value and make recommendations on case resolutions.
• Other duties as assigned

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

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school, required.
• Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing 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.

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