Associate Attorney - Labor & Employment

Chicago Transit Authority; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Transit Authority in Chicago, IL, seeks a labor and employment attorney to assist senior attorneys, second-chair trials and hearings, manage a docket, and advise clients with paralegal support.

Requirements: JD from an accredited law school, Illinois bar admission, and at least one year of employment or labor law experience. Strong research, writing, and negotiation skills are required; travel to court and client sites may be needed.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited school of law.
• Active Illinois bar admission.
• At least 1 year of experience in employment or labor law.

Responsibilities

• Handles own docket of cases, charges, and other matters.
• Appears before courts and agencies to handle trials, hearings, and arbitrations.
• Takes and defends depositions and other discovery.
• Prepares witnesses for testimony and advises on evidence needed.
• Drafts pleadings, motions, briefs, and position statements.
• Provides advice on labor/employment matters.
• Leads or supports teams including paralegals on large matters.

Skills

Legal research

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Verbal communication

Written communication

Leadership

Microsoft Office

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

SALARY

$100,965.92

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision, performs legal work with responsibilities related to labor and employment matters involving the Authority. Works with senior attorneys in employment litigation, labor arbitrations, and related matters. Will "second chair" trials and hearings.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Handles own docket of cases, charges, and other matters.
• Appears frequently before courts and administrative agencies to handle trials, hearings, and arbitrations.
• Takes and defends depositions and other discovery.
• Prepares witnesses for court testimony, advises them on legal processes, and apprises them of evidence needed to present a case.
• Performs investigation of cases and related research.
• Drafts pleadings, motions, position statements, and briefs.
• Provides advice on labor/employment matters.
• Works with senior attorneys in a "second chair" capacity on large litigation and other matters. Plays an integral role in these assignments, typically examining witnesses, arguing motions, reviewing and preparing discovery, drafting memoranda, briefs, and settlement agreements.
• Provides advice and counsel directly to clients.
• Manages work of paralegals and other support staff assigned to projects.
• Keeps abreast of constantly changing employment and labor laws through continuing legal education programs (e.g., National Institute of Trial Advocacy program) and training opportunities offered by Law Department.
• Performs related duties as assigned

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position may include the following jobs:

• Job Title
• Paralegals

CHALLENGES

• Working in partnership with client departments to achieve CTA goals.
• Working on many tasks simultaneously.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited school of law and licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, plus one (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably specializing in employment or labor laws, or an equivalent combination of education and experience relating to this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity, and fingering for working with computer keyboards.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of applicable federal and state laws.
• Working knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interrelate with clients, Authority personnel, and witnesses.
• Good research, organization and analytical skills to gather and synthesize large volumes of information into a logical convincing case.
• Good verbal and written communication skills to explain important facts clearly, logically, and concisely.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Good interviewing skills.
• Basic skill using Microsoft software.
• Ability to work on multiple projects in stressful situations.
• Ability to provide timely legal advice.
• Ability to work independently and advise and consult with management as needed.
• Ability to lead others and work in a team environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• Works various days and hours.
• Makes regular site visits to non-office locations (e.g., court, client site).

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.
• On-line legal research and litigation support software.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts.

Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate and may be higher or lower than target.

Applicants, if hired,must comply with CTA's residency ordinance.

CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact [e-mail] prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.

During the hiring process, CTA's Human Resources department will contact candidates with next steps . Failure to respond to these correspondences in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness.

Primary Location: USA-Illinois-Chicago

Job: Law

Job Posting: Sep 18, 2026, 6:36:09 PM

Position Type: Full-time Permanent (FTP)

Department: General Counsel