Assistant Corporation Counsel III – Torts Division

The City of Chicago Law Department is seeking an attorney for the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel in its Torts Division.  Attorneys in the Torts Division have an active litigation and trial practice.  The Assistant Corporation Counsel’s work will be in either its personal injury defense or workers’ compensation practice area, depending on the experience and interests of the applicant and the current needs of the Division.  Attorneys in either area will work with a variety of City Departments and be responsible for their own individual docket of cases.

The personal injury defense work involves representing the City and its employees primarily in state court.  Torts attorneys have an intensive discovery and motion practice, retain and depose medical and other experts, engage in hearings and jury trials, and make recommendations and participate in settlement negotiations.

The workers’ compensation defense work involves analyzing claims and medical records, writing motions and draft opinions, taking medical depositions, presenting experts, making recommendations and negotiating settlements, conducting hearings and trials before arbitrators and the Illinois Industrial Commission, and representing the City in appeals to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ideal candidates will possess the following:

• Interest and/or experience in litigation and trial work and/or workers’ compensation;
• Effective communication skills;
• Demonstrated strength in legal research and writing;
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative as demonstrated by past achievements and leadership;
• Ability to work well with others and manage workflow and deadlines; and
• Class rank in the top 50% of graduating law school class, or academic achievement as shown by grade point average, honors, participation in: law review, law journal, moot court, judicial externship/internship, or other activities indicating record of academic excellence.