SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL

Chicago, IL, United States

General Overview

Acts as legal advisor and counsel to the bureau chief or director in all matters related to

the statutory authority and execution of powers of that department, bureau or departments

within bureau; also functions as direct legal aide to the director or bureau chief as

required. Provides assistance in interpreting the legal ramifications of proposals, policy

directives and other actions planned or undertaken by department, bureau or County

Board. May serve in the capacity of Freedom of Information Officer or advise on matters

related to the Freedom of Information Act. Works with the President’s General Counsel

and State’s Attorneys Office as necessary in order to evaluate litigation, respond to

document requests, prepare for matters related to administrative review and address

opinions related to federal, state or local legislation. Receives legal assignments from the

bureau chief or director as well as the President’s General Counsel. Reports to the bureau

chief or director and President’s General Counsel Consults with the President’s General

Counsel and the Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney as required.

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY :

· Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.

· Health Care – Cook County established the nation’s first blood bank in 1937. Cook County Hospital was the first to have a dedicated unit for trauma services. Today our healthcare system treats more cancer patients than any other provider in the metropolitan area.

· Technology – Cook County’s Bureau of Technology provides technology support to Cook County offices and employees, with its wide area network providing service to more than 120 municipalities.

· Courts – Cook County oversees one of the nation’s largest unified criminal and civil justicesystem and administers the largest single jail site in the country.

· Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.

· Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.

· Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

Benefits :

Cook County employees have access to a variety of benefits, including:

· Medical and Pharmacy Plans

· Dental Plans

· Vision Plan

· Flexible Spending Accounts – Health Care and Dependent Care

· Life Insurance – Group Term and Supplemental Life

· Commuter Benefits

· Pre-paid Legal Services

· Retirement Benefits

· Competitive Base Pay

Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman exempt position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Provides legal advice to the director or bureau chief in a variety of matters pertaining to

the department’s functions, duties, powers and responsibilities set forth and defined by

the County ordinance, state or federal law.

Helps formulate and define legitimate and appropriate positions to be taken by the

director. Conducts legal research and advises as necessary.

Acts in tandem, where necessary, with legal advisors in the State’s Attorney’s Office and

the President’s General Counsel to coordinate efforts with legislative or civil proceedings

where necessary, including on legal issues regarding the interpretation and enforcement

of County Ordinances and policies.

Reads, analyzes and answers correspondence pertaining to a variety of legal questions of

immediate concern to the department.

May assist the other members of the staff in revising ordinances, legislative proposals,

directives, correspondence, and/or policies for use in intergovernmental relations and

public statements etc. Conducts legal research as needed.

Handles special projects of specific purposes and confidential nature as required.

Assist in matters related to the Employee Appeals Board.

Advises director in the drafting of department procedural rules and policies pertaining to

the interpretation and enforcement of department applicable ordinances, as well as

general Department policy and procedure.

Assists the director in drafting ordinances, agreements, contracts, policies, procedures

and other relevant documentation.

May provide advice to the Public Information Officer on questions related to the

Freedom of Information Act or serve as the Freedom of Information Officer.

Reports matters of legal relevance to the President’s Counsel and accepts assignments

from the director and President’s Counsel as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough and extensive knowledge of the law as it pertains to local and municipal

government in Illinois, particularly with respect to Cook County government and the

Chicago Metropolitan area including unincorporated areas of Cook County.

Skills in researching, interpreting and arguing law as it pertains to the responsibility and

authority of the department; likewise, skilled in the legal analysis and interpretation of the

rules, regulations, laws, ordinances and resolutions of the Cook County Board.

Transactional legal experience.

Ability to coordinate any of the above in connection with the State’s Attorney and/or

other designated counsel.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree PLUS, seven

(7) years or greater professional work experience as an attorney dealing with matters of

civil law, government, or corporate transactions AND, a licensed to practice law in the

State of Illinois.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible

amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary

work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief

periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be

construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to

be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

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