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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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.

The Assistant Deputy 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 and general education law matters. The Assistant Deputy General Counsel will report to the Deputy General Counsel. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on salary basis.

The Assistant Deputy General Counselwill be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Advise 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, custody issues, school climate matters, Title IX, and charter school related issues;

• Track, organize, and report on School Law matters to the Deputy General Counsel and Department Leadership to assist with recognizing trends and where to proactively affect change;

• Assist clients in responding/navigating crisis situations and other school culture and climate matters;

• Supervise the District’s response to subpoenas and court orders for student records;

• Supervise, manage, mentor and develop direct reports including, Senior Assistants General Counsels, Assistants General Counsels, and Support Staff;

• Review and edit written work as well as provide guidance and strategy to School Law Unit attorneys;

• Assist the Deputy General Counsel and Law Department Leadership in ensuring that the district receives expert and well-managed legal services related to Special Education;

• Support efforts to proactively train clients to minimize liability for the District;

• Actively participating/developing the continuous improvement of the group in line with Law Department goals;

• Setting a vision, strategy, and tone for responding to counseling calls, crisis matters, Title IX concerns, and special education issues that align with CPS’ 5-year vision and goals around equity, integrity, and quality of instruction and CPS’ values around parent-involvement.

• Prepare and conduct due process hearings for school restructuring, enrollment fraud, and local school council eligibility; and

• Assist the Deputy General Counsel with special projects related to cross-functional work and new initiatives.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Assistant Deputy General Counsel must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

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

Experience Required:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of legal experience.

• Direct experience counseling clients is necessary. Litigation or administrative hearing experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional advocacy, analytical, oral and written communication skills;

• Experience managing attorneys and support staff;

• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment to resolve issues and make effective decisions;

• 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; and

• Problem solver able to expeditiously assess issues and provide sound legal advice.

In order to be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references.

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.