Senior Assistant General Counsel, Labor & Employee Discipline

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

• Defend the Board in labor arbitrations against various labor unions
• Defend the Board in unfair labor practice proceedings before the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board
• Represent the Board in prosecuting termination proceedings before the Illinois State Board of Education and the CPS Office of Administrative Hearings
• First-chair high-profile arbitrations, disciplinary proceedings, and termination hearings
• Provide direction and strategy on labor and employee discipline matters for various internal stakeholders
• Work closely with CPS senior-leadership clients to ensure that labor and employee discipline cases are properly handled and litigated
• Review the legality of employee relations strategies and policies utilizing a keen knowledge of federal and state statutory and case law in employment and labor areas, as well as all areas that may impact the District
• Assist in managing a team of six Assistant General Counsels and two legal support staff
• On a daily basis, advise various CPS clients, including senior leadership, Network Chiefs, and school principals on labor and employee relations matters

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

• Minimum of five (5) years of legal practice in the labor and employment law area is required.
• Additionally, experience in one of more of the following areas is strongly preferred: administrative law, labor relations, or state and/or federal court litigation.
• Experience with management and leadership is preferred.

• Strong communication skills: speaking, listening, and writing
• Ability to be a problem solver and independent worker
• Effectively litigate cases before arbitrators, hearing officers, administrative agencies, and courts
• Skills and abilities in management and leadership
• Knowledge of best practices in employment and labor law, and federal and state-related law areas
• Ability to build trusting relationships with, effectively advise, and work cohesively with Officers, Senior Leaders, Department Managers, and school-based staff on a variety of high-profile issues and cases
• Highly organized with excellent time management and organizational skills

• Proficiency with Google Suite (docs, sheets, slides) and Microsoft Office

• 
  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.

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves