Senior Assistant General Counsel, Corporate Contracts & Counseling

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Assistant General Counsel in the Contracts and Corporate Counseling Division works closely with the Department of Procurement and other agency departments to prepare the majority of the contracts for the various Chicago Housing Authority user departments. Responsibilities will include negotiating, drafting, reviewing and/or revising contracts, preparing intergovernmental and other types of agreements (i.e. Information Technology), drafting memoranda of law; counseling and advising on contract interpretation, administration, modification, and closure; assisting and handling contract disputes, claims and resolutions, including settlements and releases, contract breaches and defaults and terminations. In the area of construction contracts, the Senior Assistant General Counsel has responsibility of drafting construction contracts, contractor agreements and amendments that protect from potential general liability, delay claims, errors and omissions and payment issues. In the area of corporate counseling, the attorney would also provide support to the Board of Commissioners’ Office as directed by the Chief Legal Officer and provide advice and guidance on governance and compliance issues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Example of responsibilities of this position may include but are not limited to, the following:

• Handle all aspects of procurement matters from assisting with drafting solicitation and contract documents to providing advice and counsel relative to the procurement process and decisions; assist with procurement protests and/or appeals of protest denials. 

• Assist with responses to regulatory agencies inquiries or informal/formal actions; ensure compliance with administrative procedures; research statutes, regulations, rules, and orders and provide legal counsel with respect to regulatory considerations for planning and implementing CHA business initiatives.

• Provide advice and counsel on all aspects of municipal and governmental laws such as the Open Meetings Act, Freedom of Information Act, state and local law, as well as Federal law, Illinois Housing Authorities Act and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations and notices.

• Perform all other duties and projects, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Juris Doctorate Degree, admission to the Illinois Bar and a minimum of eight (8) years’ experience. Further requirements: strong writing, oral communication and research skills, solid analytical and problem-solving ability. Candidate must be a team player, readily able to adapt and provide legal support in a dynamic environment. The attorney must have substantial expertise/experience in contract law and should have some experience in city or other local agencies procurement. Specialty in construction law is highly preferred, but not required. 

BENEFITS AT-A-GLANCE

• Vacation, Sick and Personal, competitive PTO package                  

• Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO) Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Long-Term Care Insurance

• Pet Insurance

• Parking Transit

• Prepaid Legal Services

• Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan

• Identity Theft Protection

• Hospital Indemnity Insurance

• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance

• Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match

• Pension Plan: CHA makes contributions on behalf of the employee, along with the employee's 3% contribution; 100% vesting occurs after 6 years of continuous employment or opt-out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continues to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago

• Hybrid work schedule (position specific). The main office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position may be eligible for two (2) days of telework following a successful completion of a 90-day probationary period according to CHA’s established policies and procedures.

"Applications will be accepted for 30 days from the date of posting. However, the position may be closed at any point if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.”

Salary Range: $125,000 - $135,000

Grade: S10

FLSA: Exempt

Union: None