General Counsel

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing over 40,000 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

Job Summary

The General Counsel is the Chief Legal Officer for Chicago Public Schools that has charge and control of all of the legal affairs affecting the district in order to mitigate the legal risks and liabilities for a $9 billion organization with nearly 36,000 employees. The position oversees the Law Office, which has in excess of 4,100 pending matters at any one time in 8 practice areas (or departments), with a staff of approximately 100 employees and an operating budget of $16+ million.

Reporting directly to the Board of Education, the General Counsel plays a critical role in advancing the district’s strategic priorities and day to day operations in alignment with CPS’ executive team. The General Counsel provides the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Schools and the executive staff with effective legal advice on board governance and policies, advises them on organizational and risk management strategies and their implementation and manages the legal function of the district.

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

• Counsel the Board, CEO, Departments and Schools with respect to legal compliance requirements and risk mitigation.
• Prepare, approve, and maintain legal instruments governing transactions for the district including financial (i.e., bonds), real estate, goods and services, intellectual property etc. transactions that are valued in the billions of dollars.
• Represent the Board of Education, the Chief Education Officer, and district officials in litigation and other claims filed against them and recommend litigation strategies and settlements that are valued at $21 million annually.
• Oversee the district's Freedom of Information Office to ensure compliance with state sunshine laws and student and employee privacy laws.
• Oversee the district's employee administrative hearings that consider and dispose of employee disciplinary matters and employee grievances.
• Communicate with the Board of Education on a regular basis with respect to the school district’s foreseeable legal and reputational risks and controversies.
• Forecast and advise the Chief Financial Officer on potential legal risks which may impact the district’s financial health.
• Cooperate and as appropriate collaborate with the Office of the Inspector General with respect to matters under investigation by that office.
• Oversee Law Office operations and staff hiring, supervision, development, and performance management across multiple departments and functional areas that support the General Counsel’s responsibilities including but not limited to:
  • Labor Relations and employment related administrative hearings
  • Freedom of Information Act department
  • Policy and procedures, including policy development, public records and ethics
  • Legal investigations
  • Transactions and contracts
  • School law, including IDEA, Title IV and IX, student discipline, student residency and local school council administrative hearings, policy and advising
  • Litigation including federal and state court litigation and administrative proceedings (EEOC, IDHR, ordinance violations, etc.)
  • Employee discipline and labor litigation including principal and tenured teacher dismissal hearings and grievance arbitrations
• Promote professional development and collaborative working relations among law department employees and between them and school and department employees.
• Manage the law department’s budgets, collaborating with the finance department to ensure appropriate legal reserves are maintained for the district.
• Retain outside counsel in accordance with Board procedures to represent CPS, its officers, agents and employees in litigation and to provide legal counsel as needed.
• Other duties and workstreams as assigned.

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

Education and Experience Required:

• Juris Doctorate required.

• Must possess a license to practice law in the State of Illinois and be in good standing with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years as a licensed and practicing attorney with experience in one or more of the following: large law firm, government agency, primary-level school district, university, or non-profit organizations responsible for litigation management, administrative law and proceedings, contract drafting and negotiations, real estate transactions, federal and/or state regulations and regulatory compliance or participation in regulatory proceedings.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible managerial experience in law firms, corporate law offices, educational institutions, government or public agencies, non-profit organizations or related organizations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively, and to communicate effectively, with multiple and diverse constituencies, such as educators, staff, students, legislators, corporate partners, community leaders, the public, parents, and union leaders.
• Strong and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze issues, formulate and evaluate alternatives, and make sound, decisive recommendations.
• Experience directly managing or supporting leadership in managing controversial and high profile issues.
• Strong negotiation skills, including the ability to persuade, plan, strategize and cooperate with operational goals in mind;

• Ability to build effective relationships throughout the Law Department, other Board departments, and with vendors/partners;

• Poise to interact with, and instill confidence in, a wide variety of individuals, including Board members, executive staff, employees, local and federal government officials, outside counsel and the public.

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. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.