Assistant General Counsel, State Litigation

Posting Date

Mar 2, 2026, 3:24:30 PM

Central-42 West Madison Street (Law Office)

CPS Non-Union Job Grade : S09

87,000.

Position Type :
Non-Union Position

Exempt

Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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 CPS Law Department provides a full array of legal services to the Chicago Board of Education and the various departments and divisions of Chicago Public Schools. The State Litigation Unit (“State Lit”) represents the Board in civil suits filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County and also handles administrative matters and provides client counseling. Matters include personal injury cases ranging from slip and falls to sexual assault and death cases, mechanics liens, property tax appeals, construction cases, whistle blower claims, limited employment matters, breach of contract claims, debarments, bid protests and FOIA litigation.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy and Assistant Deputy General and Senior Counsels, the Assistant General Counsel will represent CPS at the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission and state court. This role involves managing the defense of CPS in workers’ compensation cases, working directly with CPS’ third party administrator to advise on claims handling, strategy, and data analytics, as well as managing related recovery efforts including subrogation and affirmative litigation.

The Assistant General Counsel will collaborate and provide guidance to appellate counsel on workers’ compensation matters, work closely with CPS Talent’s workers’ compensation manager, and various stakeholders to align benefits across units while providing strategic counsel to CPS leadership, informing policy decisions and resource allocation. This is a full‑time, non‑exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

• Managing an active workers compensation caseload and exercising independent judgment on complex issues.
• Provide supervision and guidance to assistant general counsels and staff.
• Provide client counseling, advice, guidance and support across a network of schools and departments.
• Working cooperatively with supervisors, attorneys and staff within the Law Department.
• Developing and maintaining professional, client‑centered and productive relationships with diverse group of CPS departments, schools and agents.
• Demonstrating a strong work ethic, integrity, sound judgment, initiative, and strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and authorized to practice law in the state of Illinois.

• Minimum of two (2) years of workers compensation practice experience, including direct experience counseling clients.
• Preferred experience in insurance defense, declaratory actions, breach of contract, affirmative litigation, municipal benefits and collections.

• Strong communication skills (speaking – including presentations – listening, and writing).
• Proven ability to manage a caseload with significant financial and/or reputational exposure.
• Self‑motivated with an ability to build trusting relationships with diverse groups of colleagues and clients.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage numerous cases and matters simultaneously under pressure.
• Ability to serve as a zealous advocate…