Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor - Special Federal Litigation Division

City of Chicago Department of Law; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chicago Department of Law seeks an Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor for the Special Federal Litigation Division. This role directs attorneys defending police personnel in federal and state suits, managing high-exposure civil rights matters and complex discovery, motions, settlements, and trial work.

Under the Division Chief, the supervisor oversees attorneys through all phases of litigation, mentors staff, and acts as trial partner as needed, demanding leadership, courtroom

Qualifications

• Seven years of legal experience as a licensed attorney.
• Experience in civil defense litigation, particularly municipal defense and Section 1983 claims.
• Three or more jury trials, at least one as first chair preferred.
• Strong writing, research and editing skills.
• Ability to organize, supervise, and manage attorneys and staff.

Responsibilities

• Direct attorneys in the Special Federal Litigation Division.
• Handle and litigate higher exposure civil cases for the City and police personnel.
• Provide supervisory coaching, counseling and training to attorneys and staff.
• Serve as a trial partner as needed and participate in motions, discovery, settlements and trial practice.

Skills

Legal experience

Civil litigation

Jury trials

Discovery

Legal writing

Client counseling

Supervisory skills

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Illinois Bar admission

Job description

The Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor directs attorneys in the Special Federal Litigation Division. The Division defends sworn and civilian police personnel and the City of Chicago in federal and state lawsuits. These lawsuits concern alleged civil rights violations or state law liability claims based on allegations of police misconduct or abuse of authority. Special Federal Litigation Division attorneys practice in both federal court and in the Circuit Court of Cook County. They have a sophisticated and complex practice involving extensive motion practice, intensive discovery, settlement negotiations, and trial practice. The Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor, working under the general supervision of the Division Chief and Deputy, handles and litigates higher exposure cases. In addition, the Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor has supervisory responsibilities of Assistant Corporation Counsel over all phases of their assigned cases throughout trial and post-trial motions, up to the appeal stage. The Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor will also act as a trial partner as needed by the Special Federal Litigation Division.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ideal candidates will possess the following:

• Seven (7) years of legal experience as a licensed attorney;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil law, particularly municipal defense litigation, Section 1983 claims and intentional tort claims;
• Substantive knowledge and prior experience in the areas of federal and state civil litigation;
• Three or more jury trials, at least one as first chair preferred;
• Discovery experience, including expert discovery experience;
• Superior writing, research and editing skills;
• Ability to organize, prioritize, monitor, and control workflow deadlines;
• Exceptional client counseling skills;
• Exceptional supervisory skills, including coaching, counseling and training attorneys and staff;
• Demonstrated ability to work well with and motivate others; and
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit leadership and initiative on assigned tasks.

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).