Chief Attorney - Torts

Chicago Transit Authority; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Transit Authority seeks a senior attorney with first-chair capabilities to handle a docket of significant personal injury matters. You will lead cases through all stages of litigation and appear in court, arbitrations, and trials.

The role requires seven years of experience as a practicing attorney, including Tort experience, and a valid Illinois license to practice law. Mentorship and strategic guidance to junior staff are essential.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and license to practice in Illinois and Federal courts.
• Seven years as a practicing attorney with three years of Tort/state or federal court experience or equivalent.
• Maintain continuing legal education credits as required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead attorney for personal injury cases, handling all phases of litigation.
• Appear frequently in court for hearings, arbitrations, and trials.
• Conduct discovery, depose witnesses, draft pleadings and motions for significant personal injury matters.
• Mentor junior attorneys and supervise paralegals and support staff.
• Provide legal advice across the Department and manage workload.

Skills

Legal research

Trial experience

Negotiation

Oral and written communication

Team leadership

Mentorship

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Illinois license to practice law

Continued legal education credits

Tools

Microsoft Office

Courtroom technology

Job description

Under direction, performs senior level professional legal work with “first chair” responsibilities related to personal injury matters involving the Authority, with a particular emphasis on significant personal injury litigation. Represents the Authority in litigating own case load of significant personal injury cases and provides advice to more junior attorneys regarding legal strategy.

Qualifications

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acts as lead attorney for Authority in handling own docket of personal injury cases through all phases of litigation.
• Appears frequently in court for hearings, arbitrations, and trials.
• Performs all phases of discovery including written discovery, takes and defends depositions, prepares and deposes witnesses and expert witnesses, collects legal and medical research, and drafts pleadings and motions for caseload that consists primarily of significant personal injury matters (e.g., Law Division and federal court cases).
• Serves as “first chair” for any personal injury lawsuit involving the CTA.
• Acts as mentor and oversees activities of junior attorneys, paralegals, and other legal support staff.
• Supervises junior attorneys acting in a “second chair” capacity on large litigation. Chief attorneys fill the leadership role in these assignments, serving as lead counsel for the CTA.
• Provides mentoring and other skill-development services for more junior attorneys and staff.
• Manages work of paralegals and other support staff assigned to his/her projects.
• Provides legal advice and consultation on personal injury matters throughout the Authority to clients and staff.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reporting to this position may include the following jobs:
• Junior Attorneys
• Paralegal
• Administrative Assistant/Secretary

CHALLENGES

• Must be able to work in partnership with client departments to achieve CTA goals.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and handle stressful situations.
• Must maintain good working relationships with client departments to achieve Authority goals and objectives.
• EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited school of law and license to practice law in the State of Illinois and Federal courts, plus seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney, of which three (3) years of Tort experience and/or experience in state and federal court, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required to maintain appropriate continuing legal education credits.
• Experience with public sector procurement laws preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• 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

• Detailed knowledge of applicable federal and state laws.
• Detailed knowledge of negotiation strategies.
• Working knowledge of the methods and practices of legal research and investigation, judicial procedure, and the rules of evidence.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite including word processing functions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills necessary for competent legal interpretation.
• Strong managerial and administrative skills to direct and coordinate the activities of the case/transaction team.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interrelate with other Law Department staff and various levels of personnel from other Authority departments.
• Ability to work with integrity, initiative, and the creativity to provide effective solutions to CTA issues.
• Ability to provide legal advice in a short response time, work on many tasks simultaneously, and play increasing managerial role.
• Ability to independently handle all matters that arise in practice area.
• Ability to practice skills and experience to “first chair” almost every litigation matter involving the Authority.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• Makes regular site visits to non-office locations (e.g. court and accident sites).

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.
• Personal computer and legal related equipment and software.
• Trial visual aids equipment, office productivity, on-line legal research, and litigation support software.