JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF LAW – Torts Division
The City of Chicago Law Department is seeking attorneys for the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel in its Torts Division. The Assistant Corporation Counsel’s work will be primarily personal injury defense representing the City and its employees from a variety of City departments. The types of tort cases litigated and tried by Division attorneys include premises liability, roadway design, motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, police pursuits and misconduct, wrongful death, defamation, and delayed emergency response. The Assistant Corporation Counsel will be responsible for an individual docket of cases, conduct jury trials, have an active discovery and motion practice, take and defend depositions, make settlement recommendations and engage in settlement negotiations.
The following information should not be considered exhaustive. Interested applicants should read the full posting found at www.cityofchicago.org/careers (Job Number: 1643-LAW).
Qualifications
Graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school with a Juris Doctor in or before May 2009 and admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ideal candidates will possess the following:
- a minimum of five years of experience litigating personal injury cases, with a record of handling cases with increasing levels of complexity and responsibility, including work with medical and other expert witnesses;
- jury trial experience in the Circuit Court of Cook County or a similar jurisdiction;
- exceptional research and writing skills with significant legal writing experience and motions practice;
- be a self-starter with the ability to work well with others and manage workflow and deadlines;
- familiarity with statutory and common law immunities and defenses, preferably including the Illinois Governmental and Governmental Employees Torts Immunity Act;
- a class rank in the top 40% of his or her graduating law school class.
Familiarity with insurance coverage and indemnification issues will also be considered.
Application Process and Materials
There is a two-step application process for this position. All application materials are due on or before October 13, 2016.
Step One: You must submit an on-line application along with your resume at www.cityofchicago.org/careers by October 13, 2016.
Step Two: In addition to the on-line application, and regardless of whether such materials were uploaded with your on-line application, the following materials must be submitted in hard copy to: City of Chicago Department of Law’s Legal Recruiter, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1640, Chicago, IL 60602:
Cover letter that (1) includes the position title and job number as noted on the posting; (2) specifically identifies how you meet the minimum qualifications and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below and (3) explains your interest and/or experience in doing litigation work;
- Resume;
- Law school transcript (official or unofficial);
- Two writing samples; and
- Copy of your ARDC card (or your admitted state bar’s equivalent);
Failure to submit all materials will result in your application not being considered for the position.
NOTE: The foregoing materials must be submitted in person (interoffice delivery of application materials will not be accepted) or received via U.S. Mail or another similar mailing method (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL) at the address noted above on or before October 13, 2016; late submissions shall result in your application not being considered for the position. Should you wish to confirm receipt of your materials, please use a traceable delivery method.
NOTE: Please do not submit references with your hard copy materials. Please do not send to us any materials other than those we have specifically requested above. Submission of references and/or additional materials with your hard copy materials other than what is specifically requested above shall result in your application not being considered for the position.
Please note that the submission deadline for both the online application and the hard-copy materials is October 13, 2016.
NOTE: If you have any questions regarding how to apply, please contact the Department of Human Resources. Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, the Recruiting and Personnel Sections in the Department of Law are not able to take or return emails or phone calls seeking any information pertaining to the position or the process. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in the City of Chicago Department of Law.
