Closing Date: 30th September, 2025
Description:
Description:The City of Chicago's Department of Law is seeking an attorney for the position of Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel – Public Safety Reform. The Public Safety Reform Division (PSRD) directs the City of Chicago's legal strategy and response to the Consent Decree, a formal agreement ensuring that the City of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department engage in constitutional, effective policing that protects both residents and officers while rebuilding community trust.
The newly created Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel is a unique and dynamic position that will present opportunities to address some of the most significant litigation matters handled by the Department of Law. Reporting to the Deputy Corporation Counsel for Public Safety Reform, the Chief Assistant will lead cross-agency coordination, legal compliance, and strategic engagement with the Independent Monitor, Illinois Attorney General, and the federal court. The ideal candidate brings deep legal expertise, operational clarity, and a commitment to equity and transparency.
Duties include representing the City of Chicago in court proceedings, negotiations, and public forums related to police reform; serving as a legal liaison to the Independent Monitor and the Illinois Attorney General's Office; overseeing compliance tracking across impacted agencies; advising City leadership on legal obligations, risks, and strategic responses to the Consent Decree; developing public-facing legal guidance to support transparency and community engagement; monitoring and reporting on progress toward full and effective compliance; drafting and vetting policies, training protocols, and accountability mechanisms to ensure constitutional policing; and leading a staff of 2 attorneys and a paralegal.
The Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel would also be responsible for overseeing the City of Chicago's annual litigation report. As part of the Consent Decree, the City must release an annual report informing the public about lawsuits against the City raising allegations of civil rights violations by members of the Chicago Police Department.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ideal candidates will possess the following:
- Eight (8) years of legal experience as a licensed attorney;
- Three (3) years of experience in settlement negotiation, mediation, or dispute resolution program management; preferably with experience in cases that have multi-million-dollar exposure;
- Experience managing complex legal compliance programs or federal oversight initiatives;
- Background and knowledge in constitutional policing and civil rights law.
- Experience working with police departments, civilian oversight bodies, and community coalitions
- Superior communication skills (written/verbal)
- Excellent judgment
- Excellent writing, research, and editing skills;
- Proficient in typical litigation technology and software such as Microsoft Office products and Adobe Acrobat;
- Ability to organize, prioritize, monitor, and control workflow deadlines;
- Exceptional supervisory skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work well with and motivate others;
- Demonstrated ability to exhibit leadership and initiative on assigned tasks; and
- Commitment to public service.
Qualifications:
- Graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree
- Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705), good standing with your state Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.
Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any American law school that has passed and maintains the requirements of accreditation by the American Bar Association (www.americanbar.org).