Chief Attorney - Torts

Chicago Transit Authority; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 149,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Transit Authority seeks a Chief Attorney – Torts to lead and manage a docket of high‑profile personal injury cases, providing strategic direction and first‑chair representation in court.

The role requires a Juris Doctor, Illinois/Federal licenses, and at least seven years of legal practice with three in torts. Strong leadership, negotiation, and litigation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Juris Doctor degree and be licensed to practice law in Illinois and Federal courts.
• Seven years of practicing attorney experience with at least three years in torts or related court experience.
• Continued legal education credits required.
• Public sector procurement knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead attorney for a docket of personal injury cases through all phases of litigation.
• Appear in court for hearings, arbitrations, and trials.
• Oversee discovery, depositions, witness preparation, and pleadings for complex matters.
• Serve as first chair on personal injury lawsuits and mentor junior attorneys and staff.

Skills

Legal research

Negotiation

Litigation strategy

Microsoft Office

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Job Description - Chief Attorney - Torts (2600006M)

Job Description

Chief Attorney – Torts

2600006M

Description

SALARY

$149,172.50

POSITION SUMMARY

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.

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.