Chicago, IL – SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL

Acts as legal advisor and counsel to the bureau chief or director in all matters related to the statutory authority and execution of powers of that department, bureau or departments within bureau; also functions as direct legal aide to the director or bureau chief as required.  Provides assistance in interpreting the legal ramifications of proposals, policy directives and other actions planned or undertaken by department, bureau or County Board.  May serve in the capacity of Freedom of Information Officer or advise on matters related to the Freedom of Information Act.  Works with the President’s General Counsel and State’s Attorney’s Office as necessary in order to evaluate litigation, respond to document requests, prepare for matters related to administrative review and address opinions related to federal, state or local legislation.  Receives legal assignments from the bureau chief or director as well as the President’s General Counsel. Reports to the bureau chief or director and President’s General Counsel. Consults with the President’s General Counsel and the Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney as required.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Provides legal advice to the director or bureau chief in a variety of matters pertaining to the department’s functions, duties, powers and responsibilities set forth and defined by the County ordinance, state or federal law.

Helps formulate and define legitimate and appropriate positions to be taken by the director. Conducts legal research and advises as necessary.

Acts in tandem, where necessary, with legal advisors in the State’s Attorney’s Office and the President’s General Counsel to coordinate efforts with legislative or civil proceedings where necessary, including on legal issues regarding the interpretation and enforcement of County Ordinances and policies.

Reads, analyzes and answers correspondence pertaining to a variety of legal questions of immediate concern to the department.

May assist the other members of the staff in revising ordinances, legislative proposals, directives, correspondence, and/or policies for use in intergovernmental relations and public statements etc. Conducts legal research as needed.

Handles special projects of specific purposes and confidential nature as required.

Assist in matters related to the Employee Appeals Board.

Advises director in the drafting of department procedural rules and policies pertaining to the interpretation and enforcement of department applicable ordinances, as well as general Department policy and procedure.

Assists the director in drafting ordinances, agreements, contracts, policies, procedures and other relevant documentation.

May provide advice to the Public Information Officer on questions related to the Freedom of Information Act or serve as the Freedom of Information Officer.

Reports matters of legal relevance to the President’s Counsel and accepts assignments from the director and President’s Counsel as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough and extensive knowledge of the law as it pertains to local and municipal government in Illinois, particularly with respect to Cook County government and the Chicago Metropolitan area including unincorporated areas of Cook County.

Skills in researching, interpreting and arguing law as it pertains to the responsibility and authority of the department; likewise, skilled in the legal analysis and interpretation of the rules, regulations, laws, ordinances and resolutions of the Cook County Board.

Transactional legal experience.

Ability to coordinate any of the above in connection with the State’s Attorney and/or other designated counsel.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree PLUS, seven (7) years or greater professional work experience as an attorney dealing with matters of civil law, government, or corporate transactions AND, a licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

SALARY: $104,468 – $127,684

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a Resume and Cover letter to Shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov