Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel - Legal Counsel

The City of Chicago Law Department is seeking a highly qualified attorney for the position of Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel for the Legal Counsel Division (“Chief ACC”). The Division consists of six lawyers working closely together in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Serving a broad client base comprised of the Mayor’s Office, all City Departments (including the Law Department itself), the fifty Aldermen who make up the City Council and the Offices of the City Clerk and Treasurer, the Division handles a workload that is extraordinary in its variety. The Chief ACC will work under the general supervision of the Deputy Corporation Counsel of the Division.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705), and good standing with the relevant state Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
• 8+ years of work experience in the legal profession as a licensed attorney of which three years are in a supervisory role or matter management capacity related to the responsibilities of the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The Chief ACC will have significant responsibilities on various matters, including, but not limited to, undertaking general duties, training-related duties and supervisory duties, as follows:

General Duties

• Drafting major ordinances, rules, resolutions and executive orders;
• providing counsel to clients regarding Municipal Code-related and other legal issues affecting City government and operations;
• preparing formal legal opinions on major issues;
• testifying before City Council committees on proposed legislation;
• providing guidance regarding the City Council Rules of Order and Procedure;
• assisting in the process of adopting the City’s annual budget by supervising the drafting of budget-related ordinances;
• assisting in the preparation of matters for legislative introduction at the City Council monthly meetings; and
• assisting in compliance with administrative duties pertinent to the Division.

Training-related Duties

• preparing training materials, and conducting training, on legislative drafting processes, compliance with parliamentary procedures and significant municipal laws;
• searching for and disseminating relevant municipal law training materials to Division members;
• compiling and updating significant opinions and practice materials generated by the Division for easy access and preservation; and
• disseminating relevant new laws, court decisions, and administrative tribunal determinations to Division members for awareness and to enhance the Division’s knowledge base.

Supervisory Duties

• reviewing and providing feedback on work products produced by other attorneys in the Division;
• coordinating the Law Department’s responses to pending State of Illinois or federal bills that have significant financial and operational impact on the City;
• coordinating the provision of analysis regarding ordinances, resolutions and orders introduced by the members of the City Council; and
• coordinating the staffing of committee hearings by Division members.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND MATERIALS

• Interested candidates may apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to the following email address: [email protected] no later than 11:59pm on March 18, 2026.
• Applications received via email will be the ONLY applications considered. Phone calls or other contacts will NOT be considered. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
• Salary: $133,836.00 annual salary range, commensurate with the level and years of experience.
• All employees of the City of Chicago must be residents of the City of Chicago as outlined in Chicago Municipal Code Section 2-152-050. Proof of residency will be required.
• All employees of the City of Chicago must demonstrate commitment to and compliance with applicable state and federal laws, City ordinances and rules, City Ethics standards, and other City policies and procedures.