Assistant Corporation Counsel III – Torts Division

The City of Chicago Law Department is seeking an attorney for the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel in its Torts Division.  Attorneys in the Torts Division have an active litigation and trial practice.  The Assistant Corporation Counsel’s work will be in either its personal injury defense or workers’ compensation practice area, depending on the experience and interests of the applicant and the current needs of the Division.  Attorneys in either area will work with a variety of City Departments and be responsible for their own individual docket of cases.

The personal injury defense work involves representing the City and its employees primarily in state court.  Torts attorneys work closely with client departments and individuals, have an intensive discovery and motion practice, retain and depose medical and other experts, engage in hearings and jury trials, and make recommendations and participate in settlement negotiations.

The workers’ compensation defense work involves representing the City in the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission and appeals to the Circuit Court of Cook County.  Workers’ compensation attorneys work closely with the client department providing claim updates, evaluations, and legal guidance on a variety of related concerns, review medical records and depose medical witnesses, conduct hearings and trials before arbitrators, write draft opinions, briefs, and other papers, argue cases on review, and make recommendations and participate in settlement negotiations.

Qualifications
 Application Process and Materials

All application materials are due on or before the post-extension date July 14, 2022.

• Cover letter that (1) includes the position title and job number as noted on the posting; (2) specifically identifies how you meet the minimum qualifications and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below; and (3) states whether you have a preference between the personal injury defense or workers’ compensation practice areas;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (official or unofficial);
• Two writing samples; and
• Current printout of your attorney registration status from the Illinois ARDC website at www.iardc.org (or your admitted state bar’s equivalent), and

Failure to submit all materials will result in your application not being considered for the position.

NOTE REGARDING ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: Please do not submit additional materials other than those we have specifically requested above.  Submission of additional materials other than what is specifically requested above shall result in your application not being considered for the position.

NOTE REGARDING QUESTIONS:  If you have any questions regarding how to apply, please contact the Department of Human Resources.  Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, the Recruiting and Personnel Sections in the Department of Law are not able to take or return emails or phone calls seeking any information pertaining to the position or the process. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in the City of Chicago Department of Law.

NOTE REGARDING PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS: Working for the City of Chicago Department of Law may qualify you for loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  For detailed information, visit www.StudentAid.gov/publicservice or contact your federal loan servicer.

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE.

Qualifications

Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school and admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705).

Disclaimer – “Accredited” means any American law school that has passed and maintains the requirements of accreditation by the American Bar Association (www.americanbar.org).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ideal candidates will possess the following:

• Experience (or for new graduates an interest) in litigation and trial work, specifically in personal injury or workers’ compensation;
• Class rank in the top 50% of graduating law school class, or superior academic achievement a shown by grade point average, honors, participation in: law review, law journal, moot court, judicial externship/internship, or other activities indicating record of academic excellence; Demonstrated strength in legal research and writing;
• Effective communication skills; and
• The ability to take initiative and manage workflow and deadlines, as demonstrated by past positions and achievements.

Please navigate to our website for the full post information and application procedures: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dol/supp_info/attorney_vacancies.html