Senior Legal Assistant

Job Summary

The Litigation Unit of the Board of Education’s Law Department represents the Board, and its employees, in civil suits filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The Federal Litigation Unit handles matters pending primarily in the Northern District of Illinois, as well as administrative forums (e.g., EEOC, IDHR, and HRC). Matters include employment related claims (e.g., Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA), civil rights claims brought under 42 U.S.C. 1983, substantive and procedural due process, and Title IX. The Federal Litigation Unit also handles administrative matters and provides client counseling.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining and tracking the unit’s docket of cases, including calendaring court dates, deadlines, and depositions.
• Maintaining and organizing the unit’s electronic case files.
• Ensures District compliance with settlement agreements.
• Opens and closes cases and matters in the Department’s Matter Management System following Unit and legal protocols in case maintenance.
• Obtains documents, payroll records, and other information to respond to subpoena and other requests.
• Reviews and edits work-related tasks and responsibilities of administrative and legal assistants.
• Reviews investigatory and other reports to redact certain confidential information.
• Preparing drafts of appearances, subpoenas, deposition notices.
• Coordination of various aspects of case management and document delivery with outside counsel.
• E-Filing in federal and state courts.
• Assists attorneys during depositions, hearings, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, and trials, including preparing witness folders, scheduling, exhibits, subpoenas, and providing technology assistance.
• Inputs data input and maintains databases (e.g., open and closed files); analyzes data and trends in the Unit; compiles and generates reports.
• Maintains cross-Unit and/or cross-Department databases and systems to support attorneys and ensure District compliance.
• Drafts and mails tailored compliance letters to employees and victims under Title IX requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required Education And Experience: Associate degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years of administrative support or clerical work experience; or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of three (3) years of administrative support or clerical work experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy while balancing multiple time-sensitive priorities; Ability to review and interpret Unit and Department data and trends; Excellent organizational skills; demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work in a dynamic, complex, fast-paced environment to meet and manage competing deadlines; Able to take ownership of, and independently manage, tasks, timelines and systems, following tasks through to completion with little or no follow-up; knows when to ask questions; Clear, effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speaking, writing, listening); Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps; Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact positively and professionally at all times with team members, other Law Department staff, executive offices, internal clients and external partners; Strong typing skills and proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite, and CM/ECF E-filing software; Solid working knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures; Ability to work collaboratively with Unit and Department representatives; Proficiency or ability to quickly gain proficiency using CPS and legal systems and applications (i.e., Oracle, PeopleSoft, SSM, Aspen, Matter Management System, docket management, document review, e-discovery); Hard-working team player.

Conditions of Employment

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - 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.