Assistant General Counsel, School Law

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
 

The School Law Unit provides legal guidance to staff on a wide range of legal and policy issues affecting schools, including student records and privacy, the student code of conduct, student enrollment and transfers, school accountability, Local School Council issues, legislative review, charter school matters, and educational initiatives.

Job Summary: 

The  Assistant General Counsel will join the School Law Unit within the CPS Law Office.  This position will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy General Counsel and will be responsible for advising school based administrators on policy and school law matters.  The Assistant General Counsel will report to the Deputy General Counsel, and will work closely with the Assistant Deputy General Counsel, Senior Assistant General Counsel. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Assistant General Counsel will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Advise Board of Education and school based staff on Board rules, policies and statutes related to school law, including, but not limited to: enrollment and transfer, student privacy, student discipline, Charter schools, special education concerns, custody issues, and school climate matters.

• Prepare and conduct due process hearings for school restructuring, enrollment fraud, and local school council eligibility,

• Conduct training for school administrators on school law related topics, and

• Assist the School Law Deputy General Counsel with special projects related to cross-functional work and new initiatives.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Assistant General Counsel must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from  from an accredited college or university 

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. 

• Licensed and authorized to practice law in the state of Illinois.

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• Minimum of one (1) year legal experience; three (3) years of experience, preferred.

• Litigation or administrative hearing experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Exceptional advocacy, analytical, oral and written communication skills;

• Motivated, dynamic, team-oriented, individual with the ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment to resolve issues and make effective decisions;

• Capable of working both independently and collaboratively in a high-volume, fast-paced environment’

• Organizational skills and ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously under pressure;

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership and solve problems; and 

• Able to expeditiously assess issues and provide sound legal advice.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and recent writing sample.

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:  

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.