Description
Counsel will help the Chicago Housing Authority (“CHA”) achieve its mission and goals, primarily by protecting its legal interests. Counsel will serve on CHA’s Office of the General Counsel Litigation Team. A key focus of this position will be to lead, oversee and handle a high volume of eviction-related matters. In addition to litigating cases, Counsel will be responsible for client counseling (including analyzing case-related information and preparing reports) and conducting training.
Counsel will supervise and manage CHA’s overall eviction-related needs, which include, but are not limited to: providing thought leadership; assessing, recommending, and making improvements in existing systems and protocols; supervising, mentoring and working closely with colleagues who perform eviction-related work; and collaborating with other CHA personnel and third-parties (including property management firms, security firms, social service organizations, police personnel and other governmental agencies) to advance CHA’s interests.
The Office of General Counsel advances CHA’s interests in multiple substantive areas related to litigation and transactions, including, but not limited to the following: personal injury litigation, administrative hearings and administrative review proceedings, commercial litigation, discrimination and civil rights related litigation, and transactions work (e.g., contracts, and real estate matters). Experience in one or more of these areas and a growth mindset that welcomes additional opportunities to learn and serve CHA is a plus. As a member of the Litigation Team, Counsel will also be expected to maintain a personal caseload of assignments in substantive areas outside of and in addition to the eviction realm.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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As to eviction cases, duties will include, but are not limited to, providing representation and functional leadership to advance CHA’s interests, conducting eviction-related trainings, conducting pre-suit reviews, investigations and counseling, providing supervision and guidance during the pendency of eviction litigation (including, but not limited to, initiating cases by preparing pleadings and related documents, serving as lead counsel, conducting discovery, or assisting during trials, and with post-trial matters, including appeals), and evaluating performance of attorneys and staff as needed.
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Ensuring up-to-date status tracking and reporting on filed eviction cases.
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Handling all aspects of general litigation involving CHA and related duties and serving as lead and trial counsel in state and federal court, and in administrative forums.
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Evaluating issues and disputes in the pre-litigation stage to determine appropriate course of action that fairly balances competing interests and facilitates favorable resolution.
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Providing research, analysis, and written recommendations on housing related regulations, CHA policies, federal and state law, and municipal ordinances.
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Advising client departments on how to achieve goals in compliance with applicable policies, rules, and law, and leading such initiatives as needed.
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Assisting the Deputy General Counsel and other members of the Office of General Counsel as needed, including by preparing other required litigation-related reports.
QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires a Juris Doctor degree, admission to the Illinois bar and good standing. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of ten (10) years of litigation experience, including strong experience litigating eviction and/or cases in other substantive areas of need for CHA’s Litigation Team.
Our team is seeking an attorney who will bring integrity; a strong work ethic; strong communication, analytical and client service skills; sound judgment; a growth mindset; the ability to work cooperatively with supervisors/colleagues/diverse client departments; and a willingness and the perseverance to learn new substantive areas and skills. Given the breadth and depth of this role, counsel will bring a demonstrated successful track record of timely and high performance of duties, including a strong work ethic; timely attendance for judicial proceedings; thorough preparation; strong research, legal writing, and oral advocacy skills; and be proficient in the use of technology to manage deadlines and other case-related responsibilities, e.g., Excel.
This is a full-time position with an anticipated work schedule of Mon-Fri, 8:30a - 5:00p. As a professional, the attorney may need to work additional hours, as needed, depending on applicable deadlines and workload.
*Applicants must complete an application and submit a Cover Letter, Resume, and TWO Writing Samples to be considered. Applicants applying on external job sites must apply on the CHA Careers webpage at: CAREERS.THECHA.ORG
Salary: $160,000
Grade: S11
FLSA: Exempt
Union: None
BENEFITS AT-A-GLANCE
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Vacation, Sick and Personal, competitive PTO package
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Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO) Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
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Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
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Long-Term Care Insurance
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Pet Insurance
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Parking Transit
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Prepaid Legal Services
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Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan
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Identity Theft Protection
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Hospital Indemnity Insurance
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Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
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Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match
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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 continues to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago
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Hybrid work schedule (position specific) This position is eligible for one day telework privileges following a successful completion of a 90-day probationary period according to CHA’s established policies and procedures.
"Applications will be accepted for 30 days from the date of posting. However, the position may be closed at any point if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.”
