Legal Assistant, 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, student rights 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:

Reporting to the Unit’s General Counsel, Managing Deputy General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant Deputy General Counsel, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel and Business Operations Administrator in the Law Department, the Legal Assistant performs routine administrative duties for assigned attorneys and provides general administrative support across the Law Office. This is a full-time, non-exempt position that will be paid for time worked on an hourly basis.

The Legal Assistant will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Coordinate student expulsion hearing process, which includes scheduling student expulsion hearings, providing accurate and timely notice of such hearing, and preparing files for each hearing.

• Coordinate administration of special projects, such as, but not limited to, annual principals’ conference and administrative hearings.

• Manage and update internal record systems in accordance with the Unit’s protocols and track deadlines and milestones.

• Organizes and maintains physical and electronic case files and records with attention to detail and confidentiality

• Support with coordination of records requests. 

• Schedules meetings, hearings, and/or other similar matters as appropriate and manages staff calendars as needed

• Properly routes and responds to emails and other communications in a timely and professional manner

• Inputs data input and maintains databases (e.g., open and closed files)

• Drafts and mails tailored letters to parents/guardians, opposing counsel, witnesses, etc. 

• Performs other duties as assigned

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

Required Education and Experience:

• High school or GED equivalent and a minimum of five (5) years of administrative or clerical work experience; or

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of one (1) year of administrative or clerical work experience, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy while balancing multiple time-sensitive priorities 

• Excellent organizational and time management skills; demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work in a dynamic, complex, fast-paced environment to meet and manage competing deadlines 

• Ability to independently manage tasks, timelines, and systems, and follow tasks through to completion with little or no follow-up; knows when to ask questions

• Sound judgment regarding confidential matters and information; ability to maintain confidentiality  

• Clear, effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speaking, writing, listening)

• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact positively and professionally at all times with team members, other Law Department staff, executive offices, internal clients and external partners

• Knowledge of legal requirements to ensure compliance with subpoenas and court orders or the ability to quickly gain proficient knowledge 

• Solid working knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures or the ability to quickly gain proficient knowledge

• Excellent typing skills and proficiency using Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Hard-working team player 

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

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.