Assistant General Counsel, School Law

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The School Law Unit provides legal guidance to staff on a wide range of legal and policy issues affecting schools, including student records and privacy, the student code of conduct, student enrollment and transfers, school accountability, Local School Council issues, legislative review, charter school matters, and educational initiatives.

Job Summary:
The Assistant General Counsel, Special Education will join the School Law Unit in the CPS Law office. This position will be responsible for advising the Office for Students with Disabilities and school-based administrators on special education matters. The Assistant General Counsel will report to the Deputy General Counsel, and will work closely with the Assistant Deputy General Counsel and Senior Assistant General Counsel.
This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.


This Job Will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Representing CPS in ISBE  special education mediations, informally mediating disputes, and formally responding to ISBE State Complaints filed by parents,  staff, and advocates
• Representing CPS in Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”) special education due process hearings by investigating the merits of a case, drafting and submitting the legally required complaint response, participating in legally-required resolution sessions, preparing documentary and witness-based evidence for hearings, participating in pre-hearing and related conferences, and submitting oral and/or written arguments
• Providing expert and well-managed legal services related to Special Education, attending Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) and 504 Plan meetings, coordinating the implementation of ISBE due process hearing orders, state complaint corrective action orders, and mediation and settlement agreements with Office for Students with Disabilities and local school staff
• Advising Board of Education and school-based staff on Board rules, policies, and statutes related to school law, including, but not limited to: enrollment and transfer, student privacy, student discipline, special education concerns, legislation, Charter school matters, custody issues, and school climate matter
• Preparing and conducting due process hearings for school restructuring, enrollment fraud, and Local School Council eligibility
• Assisting the School Law Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Deputy General Counsel with special projects related to cross-functional work and new initiatives
• Conducting and supporting training regarding Due Process Complaints, Mediation Requests, 504 matters, and general special education legal concerns
• Other duties as assigned

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and authorized to practice law in the state of Illinois.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of one (1) year legal experience; three (3) years of experience, preferred.
• Litigation or administrative hearing experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of the Illinois School Code and special education regulations, including but not limited to, the IDEA, ADA, and other laws supporting individuals with disabilities;
• Exceptional advocacy, analytical, oral, and written communication skills;
• Motivated, dynamic, team-oriented individual with the ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment to resolve issues and make effective decisions;
• Capable of working both independently and collaboratively in a high-volume, fast-paced environment;
• Strong work ethic, integrity, sound judgment, initiative, and strategic thinking skills;
• Organizational skills and ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously under pressure;
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership and solve problems
• Able to expeditiously assess issues and provide sound legal advice.

Conditions of Employment:As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.