Chief Attorney - Labor & Employment

Salary -

$149,172.504

Performs legal work with “first chair” responsibilities related to labor and employment matters involving CTA. Represents CTA in employment litigation, labor arbitrations and administrative matters. Provides advice pertaining to labor and employment issues. Supervises junior attorneys and support staff.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Acts as lead attorney for CTA in handling litigation in Federal and State courts.

Appears in State and Federal courts for trials, hearings, oral arguments, motions, and negotiations.
Takes and defends depositions.
Prepares witnesses, conducts research, and drafts motions, briefs and pleadings.
Reviews and assists junior attorneys and paralegal assigned to the lawsuit.
Handles own docket of labor arbitrations and agency matters.

Responsible for own caseload of grievances that are set for arbitration.
Represents CTA before various state and federal agencies.
Prepares witnesses for arbitrations and hearings.
Handles negotiations, drafts briefs and closing arguments.
Provides legal advice and consultation on labor, policy, and employment matters throughout CTA.

Assists in the interpretation, implementation, and administration of labor contracts, CTA administrative policies pertaining to labor and employment law, and compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
Coordinates with upper management and CTA staff in the formulation and implementation of labor and employment policies.
Renders legal opinions as requested.
Provides legal advice and consultation to CTA staff.
Acts as mentor and oversees activities of junior attorneys, paralegals, and other legal support staff.

Supervises “second chair” attorneys on large litigation, arbitrations, and other agency matters. Chief Attorneys fill the leadership role in these assignments, serving as lead counsel for CTA.
Provides mentoring and other skill-development services for more junior attorneys and staff.
Manages work of paralegals and other support staff assigned to his/her projects.
Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Associate Attorneys
Senior Attorneys
Paralegal
Legal Assistant/Secretary
CHALLENGES

Keeping apprised of constantly changing employment and labor laws, as well as relevant court decisions.
Managing multiple tasks simultaneously and handling stressful situations.
Maintaining good working relationships with client departments to achieve CTA goals and objectives.

Qualifications
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
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 employment law, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required to maintain appropriate continuing legal education credits.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity, and fingering for working with computer keyboards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Detailed knowledge of applicable federal and state laws.
Detailed knowledge of the principles of labor, contractual, constitutional, and administrative law.
Detailed knowledge of collective bargaining methods and practices.
Detailed knowledge of negotiation strategies and principals of labor contract implementation.
Working knowledge of the methods and practices of legal research and investigation, judicial procedure, and the rules of evidence.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite including word processing functions.
Strong leadership and teamwork skills.
Strong managerial and administrative skills to direct and coordinate the activities of the case/transaction team.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong analytical skills necessary for competent legal interpretation.
Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interrelate with personnel from assigned units 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, work on many tasks simultaneously, and play increasing managerial role.
Ability to independently handle all matters that arise in practice area.
Ability to practice skills and experience to “first chair” almost every litigation and labor, policy and employment matter involving the Authority.
WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment.
Make regular site visits to non-office locations (e.g., court, client work locations).
EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

Standard office equipment.
Personal computer and legal related equipment and software.
Additional Details
Please note, employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts.

Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate and may be higher or lower than target.

Applicants, if hired,must comply with CTA's residency ordinance.

CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ****** orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact arc@transitchicago.com prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.

Primary Location: USA-Illinois-Chicago
Job: Law
Job Posting: Jul 25, 2025, 12:00:00 AM
Position Type: Full-time Permanent (FTP)

United States
Illinois
Chicago Show on map Get directions