Assistant Corporation Counsel III - Collections, Ownership, and Administrative Litigation Division – Special Collections Unit

This position is in the Collections, Ownership, and Administrative Litigation (COAL) Division, specifically within the Special Collections Unit (SCU). COAL handles debt collection for the City, litigates property ownership issues related to health and safety violations of the Municipal Code, and manages bankruptcy matters involving the City.

About the role

The Assistant Corporation Counsel III (ACC) will draft and prosecute complaints, engage in discovery and motion practice, conduct hearings and trials, make case recommendations, and participate in settlement negotiations. Responsibilities include managing cases in circuit court, federal district court, bankruptcy court, and the City’s Department of Administrative Hearings. The ACC will also help develop procedures and protocols, conduct law clerk training, and work on special projects under the supervision of the Deputy, Chief, and Supervising ACC of the Collections Unit. Additionally, the role involves counseling various client departments.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute complaints in state, federal, and administrative courts.
• Engage in discovery, motion practice, hearings, and trials.
• Make case recommendations and participate in settlement negotiations.
• Represent the City in circuit court, federal district court, bankruptcy court, and the Department of Administrative Hearings.
• Develop and implement procedures and protocols for the Collections Unit.
• Conduct law clerk training.
• Work on special projects as assigned.
• Provide legal counseling to various client departments.

Requirements

• Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligibility for admission on motion pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705) and good standing with your state Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.
• Significant litigation experience in administrative bodies, state, and federal courts.
• Ability to oversee projects, including analysis, evaluation, decision-making, delegation, and follow-up.
• Superior writing, research, and editing skills.
• Strong analytical reasoning, negotiation, legal research, and oral and written communication skills.
• Exceptional client counseling skills.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, monitor, and control workflow deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and initiative on assigned tasks.
• Commitment to public service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in litigation and trial work.
• Experience in collections, bankruptcy, and foreclosures.
• Experience in determining real property ownership.
• Experience with the Illinois Property Tax Code and Bankruptcy Code.

Benefits

The City of Chicago offers a generous benefits package. For more information, visit the benefits website.

Working for the City of Chicago Department of Law may qualify you for loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For details, visit www.StudentAid.gov/publicservice.

Pay

$88,272.00 - $154,044.00 (based on experience and credentials).

For information on the City’s salary and title structure, visit the classifications website.

All employees must be actual residents of the City of Chicago as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.