Assistant Corporation Counsel II - Real Estate Division

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 84,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chicago seeks an Assistant Corporation Counsel II in the Real Estate and Land Use Division to handle a broad range of real estate matters. You will advise city departments and the Chicago City Council on zoning, land use, and real estate transactions, including affordable housing and economic development projects.

The ideal candidate has at least 2 years of experience in real estate transactional matters, strong research and writing skills, and a commitment to public service.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible on motion under Rule 705) in good standing.
• Experience: minimum 2 years in real estate transactional matters.
• Strong research, legal analysis and writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and teamwork abilities.
• Commitment to public service and government interest.

Responsibilities

• Handle a broad range of real estate matters under supervision of Chief ACC.
• Advise city departments and agencies on zoning, land use and real estate transactions.
• Assist with real estate development, transportation projects and property use agreements.
• Negotiate railroad agreements and leases as landlord and tenant.
• Contribute to Affordable Requirements Ordinance implementation and public projects.

Skills

Real estate transactions

Research & writing

Interpersonal & communication

Attention to detail

Public service commitment

Ownership & initiative

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Illinois Bar admission (or eligible on motion)

Job description

Assistant Corporation Counsel II - Real Estate Division

The City of Chicago Department of Law is seeking an attorney for the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel ("ACC") II in our Real Estate and Land Use Division.

The Real Estate and Land Use Division is looking for an attorney with a strong interest in serving the city of Chicago and its residents, communities and businesses. Our mission is broad. We are responsible for advising city departments and city council on zoning and land use issues and assisting client departments with all types of real estate transactions, from buying and selling land for affordable housing and economic development to "rails to trails" conversions of abandoned rail lines for recreational trails. We implement the Affordable Requirements Ordinance, draft leases (as landlord and tenant), represent the Zoning Board of Appeals and Commission on Chicago Landmarks, and collaborate with the Chicago Park District, Chicago Transit Authority and other independent city agencies.

The Assistant Corporation Counsel II will work under the general supervision of the Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel of the Division and will be given responsibility for handling a broad range of real estate matters. The ideal candidate will have experience in real estate development, transportation projects (including negotiation of railroad agreements), and/or property use agreements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• a minimum of 2 years of experience in real estate transactional matters;


• superior research, legal analysis and writing skills;


• superior interpersonal and communication skills;


• strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational, problem solving, and teamwork skills;


• the ability to take ownership of and complete tasks without direct supervision;


• the ability to organize, prioritize, monitor, and control workflow deadlines and handle multiple assignments simultaneously; and


• a commitment to public service and a strong interest in government.

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).

You must submit an online application by November 12, 2026.

Salary: $84,276.00 - $147,060.00 (salary is based on a variety of factors including experience and credentials)

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

NOTE REGARDING PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS: Working for the City of Chicago Department of Law may qualify you for loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For detailed information, visit www.StudentAid.gov/publicservice or contact your federal loan servicer.

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.

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.

Fair Chance Hiring Employer: The City of Chicago is committed to being a Fair Chance Hiring employer. We value applicants with diverse experiences, including those who have had prior contact with the criminal legal system. Having a criminal history, including prior incarceration, arrest(s), and/or conviction(s) does not automatically disqualify you from employment with the City of Chicago.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment, the City will conduct a background check. The resulting report will be used to conduct an individualized assessment to determine if the nature of any prior conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have been selected. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances.

Residency Requirement: All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City of Chicago as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to disability or pregnancy in order to participate in the application process, please contact the City of Chicago, Department of Human Resources, at 312-744-4976 or [e-mail]. Please be prepared to provide information in support of your reasonable accommodation request.

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE.

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 Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer. To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson

Mayor