Description:
Posting Date: Oct 9, 2025, 8:42:50 PMPrimary Location: Central-42 West Madison Street (Law Office)
CPS Non-Union Job Grade: S10
Estimated Annual Salary Range : 100,000.00 - 133,000.00
Position Type: Non-Union Position
Overtime Status: Exempt
Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications.
Benefits Handbook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LFtgRZWEJ6P1M3dhLRSLpzCdh8uvwZrr/view
Job Description
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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 Labor and Employee Discipline Unit (“L&ED”) handles traditional labor law matters and appeals involving unfair labor practice charges and arbitration demands filed by labor organizations. Additionally, the Unit prosecutes employee discipline matters before administrative agencies and the Illinois State Board of Education.
Job Summary:
Reporting directly to the Deputy General Counsel, the L&ED Senior Assistant General Counsel will handle traditional labor law matters involving unfair labor practice charges and grievance arbitrations filed by labor organizations. Additionally, the Senior Assistant General Counsel will lead in the prosecuting of employee discipline matters before administrative agencies and the Illinois State Board of Education.
The Senior Assistant General Counsel will be accountable for the following responsibilities:
Required Education:
Required Experience:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Conditions of Employment:
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
Benefits Handbook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LFtgRZWEJ6P1M3dhLRSLpzCdh8uvwZrr/view
Job Description
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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 Labor and Employee Discipline Unit (“L&ED”) handles traditional labor law matters and appeals involving unfair labor practice charges and arbitration demands filed by labor organizations. Additionally, the Unit prosecutes employee discipline matters before administrative agencies and the Illinois State Board of Education.
Job Summary:
Reporting directly to the Deputy General Counsel, the L&ED Senior Assistant General Counsel will handle traditional labor law matters involving unfair labor practice charges and grievance arbitrations filed by labor organizations. Additionally, the Senior Assistant General Counsel will lead in the prosecuting of employee discipline matters before administrative agencies and the Illinois State Board of Education.
The Senior Assistant General Counsel will be accountable for the following responsibilities:
- Defend the Board in labor arbitrations against various labor unions
- Defend the Board in unfair labor practice proceedings before the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board
- Represent the Board in prosecuting termination proceedings before the Illinois State Board of Education and the CPS Office of Administrative Hearings
- First-chair high-profile arbitrations, disciplinary proceedings, and termination hearings
- Provide direction and strategy on labor and employee discipline matters for various internal stakeholders
- Work closely with CPS senior-leadership clients to ensure that labor and employee discipline cases are properly handled and litigated
- Review the legality of employee relations strategies and policies utilizing a keen knowledge of federal and state statutory and case law in employment and labor areas, as well as all areas that may impact the District
- Assist in managing a team of six Assistant General Counsels and two legal support staff
- On a daily basis, advise various CPS clients, including senior leadership, Network Chiefs, and school principals on labor and employee relations matters
Required Education:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Licensed and authorized to practice law in the state of Illinois.
Required Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years of legal practice in the labor and employment law area is required.
- Additionally, experience in one of more of the following areas is strongly preferred: administrative law, labor relations, or state and/or federal court litigation.
- Experience with management and leadership is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong communication skills: speaking, listening, and writing
- Ability to be a problem solver and independent worker
- Effectively litigate cases before arbitrators, hearing officers, administrative agencies, and courts
- Skills and abilities in management and leadership
- Knowledge of best practices in employment and labor law, and federal and state-related law areas
- Ability to build trusting relationships with, effectively advise, and work cohesively with Officers, Senior Leaders, Department Managers, and school-based staff on a variety of high-profile issues and cases
- Highly organized with excellent time management and organizational skills
- Proficiency with Google Suite (docs, sheets, slides) and Microsoft Office
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.