Senior Assistant General Counsel - Litigation

About the Role

Counsel will help the Chicago Housing Authority (“CHA”) achieve its mission and goals, primarily by protecting its legal interests. Counsel will represent the CHA in matters litigated in state and federal courts and administrative hearings and will provide advice to client departments. Based on CHA’s needs, representative cases and assignments may include personal injury litigation, eviction matters and litigation, administrative hearings and administrative review proceedings, as well as other substantive areas relevant to CHA’s practice.

Responsibilities

• Handle all aspects of litigation and related duties, and serve as lead and trial counsel in state and federal court, and in administrative forums.
• Evaluate disputes in the pre-litigation stage to determine appropriate course of action that fairly balances competing interests and facilitates favorable resolution.
• Provide research, analysis, and recommendations on housing-related regulations, CHA policies, federal and state law, and municipal ordinances.
• Advise client departments on how to achieve goals in compliance with applicable policies, rules, and law, and lead such initiatives as needed.
• Assist the Deputy General Counsel and other members of the Office of General Counsel or client departments as needed, including by preparing required reports.
• Handle a diverse range of matters as needed, and make the good faith effort needed to develop the requisite depth of skills, knowledge, and commitment to CHA.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree.
• Admission to the Illinois bar and good standing.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of substantial litigation experience in one or more areas of need for CHA, such as personal injury cases and invoking immunities where appropriate.
• Experience litigating in federal court is a plus.
• Strong skills in written advocacy, discovery (including expert discovery), and trial advocacy.
• Proficiency in the use of technology to manage case-related responsibilities (e.g., Excel, Adobe, and other productivity software).
• Integrity, strong work ethic, communication, analytical, and client service skills.
• Sound judgment, growth mindset, and ability to work cooperatively with supervisors, colleagues, and diverse client departments.
• Willingness and perseverance to learn new substantive areas and skills.

Schedule

This is a full-time position with an anticipated work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. As a professional, the attorney may need to work additional hours as needed, depending on applicable deadlines and responsibilities.

This position may be eligible for remote work following a successful completion of a 90-day probationary period according to CHA’s established policies and procedures.

Pay

Salary Range: $140,000 - $145,000

Benefits

• Vacation, Sick, and Personal competitive PTO package
• Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO)
• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Parking and Transit benefits
• Prepaid Legal Services
• Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan
• Identity Theft Protection
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match
• Pension Plan: CHA makes contributions on behalf of the employee, along with the employee's 3% contribution; 100% vesting occurs after 6 years of continuous employment or opt-out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continue to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago
• Hybrid work schedule (position specific)