Assistant Corporation Counsel I - Building and License Enforcement Division

About the role

The City of Chicago Law Department is seeking an attorney for the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel I in the BLE Division to represent the City in Municipal Code enforcement cases related to the public's health and safety, including building code, police, and licensing matters. The Assistant Corporation Counsel will work under the general supervision of the Deputy Corporation Counsel of the BLE Division and will handle litigation in state court.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate cases
• Draft pleadings and motions
• Propound and answer discovery
• Engage in legal research
• Negotiate settlements
• Present oral arguments and evidentiary hearings
• Conduct trials
• Communicate with City Departments, community groups, and Aldermanic offices
• Review proposed ordinances and legislation
• Respond to subpoenas
• Oversee special projects and initiatives
• Counsel law clerks on such tasks

The substantive areas of law will include, among others, buildings, zoning, licensing, and other related real estate and property matters. This position requires initiative, flexibility, time management, and the ability to think and respond to urgent situations.

Knowledge, Abilities And Skills

Ideal candidates will possess the following:

• Demonstrated academic achievement
• Strong research and writing skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, including the ability to take the initiative on assigned tasks and work well with others
• The ability to respond quickly in emergency situations and organize, prioritize, monitor, and control workflow deadlines

Qualifications

• Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree
• Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705), good standing with your state Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission
• Or, if applicable, intent to take the bar exam to obtain required Illinois Licensure indicated in cover letter

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

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Previous municipal law and/or prosecutorial work experience
• Experience handling litigation in state court and/or administrative proceedings
• Experience drafting or responding to pleadings, motions, and discovery

Pay

$78,108.00 – 130,128.00 (salary is based on a variety of factors including experience and credentials)

Benefits

The City of Chicago offers a generous benefits package. For information on employee benefits, visit the benefits website at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html. For information on salary and title structure, visit the classifications website at: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

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.