Deputy General Counsel - School Law

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 360,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 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.

CPS is seeking a motivated, dynamic, team-oriented attorney to join the Law Department as Deputy General Counsel - School Law. The Deputy General Counsel will work under the direct supervision of the General Counsel and First Deputy General Counsel and demonstrate a proven ability to develop working relationships and engender the trust of our internal clients.

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

• Manage attorneys and support staff assigned to the School Law Group;
  
  
• 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, custody issues, and school climate matters;
  
  
• Conduct training for school administrators on school law-related topics;
  
  
• Review and edit written work as well as provide guidance and strategy to School Law Group attorneys;
  
  
• Hire and develop attorneys and staff to be solution orientated and serve internal clients with a focus on student success;
  
  
• Works towards the continuous improvement of the Law Department and actively participate in strategic planning and execution of Department goals;
  
  
• Manage special projects that are integral to reducing the District's risk and exposure to liability;
  
  
• Assist with the development and promulgation of Board policies; and
  
  
• Perform additional ad hoc responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

In order to successfully execute the above responsibilities, a Deputy General Counsel must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education and License Required : Juris Doctorate degree required. Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing in the State of Illinois.

Type of Experience and Number of Years : Minimum of eight (8) years of legal practice required. Direct experience counseling clients required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Experience managing attorneys and support staff;
  
  
• Exceptional advocacy, analytical, oral and written communication skills;
  
  

• Ability to quickly analyze and prioritize problems and accurately decide when to escalate;
  
  
• Ability to build effective relationships throughout the Law Department and other Board departments;
  
  
• Organizational skills and ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously under pressure; and
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of and solve problems, to expeditiously assess issues and provide sound legal advice.
  
  

Residency requirement : As a condition of employment with CPS, 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.

Non-discrimination/Equal Opportunity : The Board has a comprehensive non-discrimination policy and is an equal opportunity employer.

Application: Please submit a cover letter, resume and three references.