Chief Attorney - Corporate - Appeals Litigation

Under general supervision, performs senior-level legal work with a balanced focus on appellate advocacy and litigation. Represents the Authority in both appellate and trial courts across a wide range of complex matters, independently handling "first chair" responsibilities in appeals and litigation. Core duties include briefing, oral arguments, motion practice, case strategy, and providing legal advice at all stages of litigation and appeal. Requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a diverse caseload while delivering effective and strategic legal representation.

Plans, directs, and participates in appellate matters involving employment, tort, and general corporate issues. Work includes drafting appellate briefs, petitions, motions, and memoranda for state and federal appellate courts; conducting legal research; presenting oral arguments; reviewing trial court records to identify appealable issues; collaborating with trial attorneys to preserve appellate matters; advising clients on potential outcomes; and managing deadlines in compliance with court rules.

Manages and litigates complex commercial disputes and civil rights complaints filed in administrative agencies, state court, and federal court. Serves as lead counsel in trials and hearings, provides strategic legal advice to client departments, conducts all phases of discovery, prepares witnesses, and drafts or negotiates settlement agreements.

Manages support staff, junior attorneys, and legal interns assigned to projects, verifying work for accuracy, proper methodology, and compliance with legal standards.

Conducts legal research to advise client departments, attends professional meetings, and stays current with legal developments, trends, and innovations.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

* Administrative Support

* Keeping abreast of new trends and innovations in the legal field.

* Maintaining good working relationships and communicating effectively with client departments and staff on all levels to achieve Authority goals and objectives.

* Managing multiple tasks simultaneously and handling stressful situations.

* Providing legal advice efficiently and accurately on behalf of the Authority.

* Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited school of law and licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, plus seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney, of which three (3) years of experience was spent specializing in appeals and commercial litigation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

* Required to maintain appropriate continuing legal education credits.

* Must be licensed to practice law in Illinois; admission to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, or eligibility for admission, required.

* Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.

* In-depth knowledge of federal and state laws with a strong emphasis on those applicable to appellate practice and civil litigation.

* Extensive knowledge of appellate procedures, standards of review, briefing requirements, and oral argument practices in state and federal courts.

* Proficient in legal research and analysis methods, including issue identification and record review for appeals.

* Familiarity with judicial procedures and rules of evidence as they apply to both trial and appellate litigation.

* Ability to analyze complex legal and factual records to develop effective appellate and litigation strategies.

* Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite including word processing functions.

* Strong verbal and written communication skills.

* Strong analytical skills necessary for competent legal interpretation.

* Strong managerial and administrative skills to direct and coordinate the activities of the case/transaction team.

* Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interrelate with other Law Department staff and various levels of personnel from other Authority departments.

* Ability to work with integrity, initiative, and the creativity to provide effective solutions to CTA issues.

* Ability to provide legal advice in a short response time, multi-task, and play increasing managerial role.

* Ability to independently handle all matters that arise in practice area.

* Ability to act as first chair in all appellate matters.

* General office environment.

* Occasional site visits to non-office locations such as courts or Authority facilities

* Standard office equipment.

* Personal computer and legal related equipment and software.

* Office productivity and on-line legal research software

* If position emphasis is litigation, trial visual aids equipment and litigation support software.