Chief assistant counsel public safety

The City of Chicago’s Department of Law is seeking an attorney for the position of Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel – Public Safety Reform. The Public Safety Reform Division (PSRD) directs the City of Chicago’s legal strategy and response to the Consent Decree, a formal agreement ensuring that the City of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department engage in constitutional, effective policing that protects both residents and officers while rebuilding community trust.

The newly created Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel is a unique and dynamic position that will present opportunities to address some of the most significant litigation matters handled by the Department of Law. Reporting to the Deputy Corporation Counsel for Public Safety Reform, the Chief Assistant will lead cross-agency coordination, legal compliance, and strategic engagement with the Independent Monitor, Illinois Attorney General, and the federal court. The ideal candidate brings deep legal expertise, operational clarity, and a commitment to equity and transparency.

Duties include representing the City of Chicago in court proceedings, negotiations, and public forums related to police reform; serving as a legal liaison to the Independent Monitor and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office; overseeing compliance tracking across impacted agencies; advising City leadership on legal obligations, risks, and strategic responses to the Consent Decree; developing public-facing legal guidance to support transparency and community engagement; monitoring and reporting on progress toward full and effective compliance; drafting and vetting policies, training protocols, and accountability mechanisms to ensure constitutional policing; and leading a staff of 2 attorneys and a paralegal.

The Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel would also be responsible for overseeing the City of Chicago’s annual litigation report. As part of the Consent Decree, the City must release an annual report informing the public about lawsuits against the City raising allegations of civil rights violations by members of the Chicago Police Department.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Ideal candidates will possess the following:

• Eight (8) years of legal experience as a licensed attorney;
• Three (3) years of experience in settlement negotiation, mediation, or dispute resolution program management; preferably with experience in cases that have multi-million-dollar exposure;
• Experience managing complex legal compliance programs or federal oversight initiatives;
• Background and knowledge in constitutional policing and civil rights law.
• Experience working with police departments, civilian oversight bodies, and community coalitions
• Superior communication skills (written/verbal)
• Excellent judgment
• Excellent writing, research, and editing skills;
• Proficient in typical litigation technology and software such as Microsoft Office products and Adobe Acrobat;
• Ability to organize, prioritize, monitor, and control workflow deadlines;
• Exceptional supervisory skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work well with and motivate others;
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit leadership and initiative on assigned tasks; and
• Commitment to public service.
• 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), good standing with your state Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.
  
  

Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any American law school that has passed and maintains the requirements of accreditation by the American Bar Association (

Application Process and Materials

You must submit an online application by September 29, 2025 :

• Cover letter that (1) includes the position title as noted on the posting; and (2) specifically identifies how you meet the minimum qualifications and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above; and (3) explains why you are interested in this position, including how your mediation and/or settlement skills could contribute to the Department of Law.
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (official or unofficial);
• One writing sample
• Current printout of your attorney registration status from the Illinois ARDC website (or your admitted state bar's equivalent including your state Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings)
  
  

Salary: $133,836.00 - $187,524.00 (salary is based on a variety of factors including experience and credentials)

Click to view our generous benefits package

NOTE REGARDING PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS: Working for the City of Chicago Department of Law may qualify you for loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For detailed information, visit or contact your federal loan servicer.

NOTE: Candidates experiencing trouble uploading the required documents to our system may e-mail the documents to: [email protected]. However, uploading documents directly to your CAREERS applicant profile is our preferred method of receipt.

NOTE: Please do not upload or send materials other than those specifically requested above.

NOTE: Failure to submit all materials will result in your application not being considered for the position.

NOTE: If you have questions, please contact the Department of Human Resources (312-744-4976) or [email protected].

Selection Requirements

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

Evaluation

Your initial evaluation will be based on the documents submitted. Applications must be submitted by the individual applicant. No second party applications will be accepted.

NOTE: To be considered for this position you must provide information about your educational background and your work experience. You must include job titles, dates of employment, and specific job duties. (If you are a current City employee, Acting Up cannot be considered.) If you fail to provide this information at the time you submit your application, it will be incomplete, and you will not be considered for this position. There are three ways to provide the information: 1) you may attach a resume; 2) you may paste a resume; or 3) you can complete the online resume fields.

Education & Employment Verification : Please be advised that if you are selected to be hired, you must provide, upon request adequate information regarding your educational and employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position for which you are applying. If the City of Chicago cannot verify this information, any offer extended to you will be withdrawn and you will not be hired.

Fair Chance Hiring Employer: The City of Chicago is committed to being a Fair Chance Hiring employer. We value applicants with diverse experiences, including those who have had prior contact with the criminal legal system. Having a criminal history, including prior incarceration, arrest(s), and/or conviction(s) does not automatically disqualify you from employment with the City of Chicago. If you receive a conditional offer of employment, the City will conduct a background check. The resulting report will be used to conduct an individualized assessment to determine if the nature of any prior conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have been selected. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances.

Residency Requirement: All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City of Chicago as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

Reasonable Accommodation : If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to disability or pregnancy in order to participate in the application process, please contact the City of Chicago, Department of Human Resources, at 312-744-4976 or [email protected]. Please be prepared to provide information in support of your reasonable accommodation request.

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ANY AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer. To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson Mayor

Job Posting

Sep 15, 2025, 4:11:36 PM

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