Assistant General Counsel

General Overview

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel - FOIA is responsible for providing quality and efficient legal services to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (“CCSO”). The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA will be responsible for coordinating all FOIA requests for CCSO records in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.

The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA will assist the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, Assistant General Counsels and Special Counsel where needed in managing all aspects of CCSO litigation, labor and employment matters, grievances and arbitrations. The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA will also be responsible for any other legal matters as directed by the Deputy General Counsel and Assistant General Counsels.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Process all requests for records submitted by the public pursuant to FOIA and ensure that the CCSO’s response(s) to all requests are compliant with FOIA and state/federal law.

Review and investigate all initial FOIA requests. Serve as the liaison between the Departments in order to gather, and ultimately review, all responsive reviews. 

Prepare written responses to all requests in a timely manner as required under the FOIA statute.

Maintain the CCSO’s electronic FOIA database by inputting and updating data.

Prepare written responses to the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC)’s inquiries and formal Requests for Review.

Assist where needed in the management of all CCSO litigation; monitor the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Civil Division and Special State’s Attorneys in litigation matters including the preparation, review and disclosure of all pleadings, discovery responses and materials, the coordination of witness preparation and deposition testimony, oversee all trial preparation, filings and litigation.

Review laws and regulations affecting the Sheriff’s Office. Render legal opinions, provide legal advice and counsel to anticipate, avoid, mitigate, or resolve potential or pending legal issues, disputes, and litigation. Assist in the creation and review of proposed written directives, policies and procedural manual changes.

Respond to questions regarding federal, state, and local laws and their impact on the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, performing research into statutory and case law as necessary to advise the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in its day-to-day operations and policy decisions.

Handle employee matters that involve County or State administrative bodies. Participate in departmental disciplinary procedures and assist in establishing policies to foster positive relationships with and among employees.

As needed, act as a hearing officer for administrative matters including but not limited to inmate disciplinary hearings. 

Assist with the review and monitoring of existing and expired contracts, including but not limited to, grants, county contracts, memorandum of understanding, intergovernmental agreements and professional service agreements to ensure that the vendor and CCSO are both complying with terms of the contract.

Conduct legal research and complete tasks set forth by General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel or Special Counsel in an organized and thorough manner. Prioritization and deadlines will be established by the supervising Assistant General Counsel.

Assist with litigation, employment, labor and all other Legal Department functions as directed by the Assistant General Counsels, General Counsel or designees.

Maintain confidentiality and ensure that the organization faithfully performs pursuant to federal, state, and local statutes, regulations and ordinances. Adhere to the code of ethics and professionalism.
 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to use computer-based technologies to manipulate, create, store and retrieve information

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database maintenance.

Ability to communicate well with others, to answer questions and inquiries, and to coordinate communication and updates concerning FOIA to relevant Department personnel.

Excellent organizational skills.

Excellent legal research, writing and analytical skills.

Intermediate proficiency in the use of office equipment, computers and data entry with the ability to apply these skills to his/her duties and responsibilities.

Ability to listen and communicate effectively with others verbally and in writing with tact and courtesy.

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with supervisors in a respectful, productive and succinct manner.

Ability to track and measure activity and productivity.

Excellent critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Ability to satisfactorily prepare and complete various reports.

Ability to work well with others. 

Ability to work in close proximity to pre-trial detainees in the Cook County Jail divisions.

Knowledge of and ability to use sound judgment in identifying issues that may have a high-cost impact or legal implications for the organization, referring those issues to senior leadership.

Ability to work with limited supervision. 

Minimum Qualifications  

A Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.

Member of the Illinois Bar or admission to the Illinois Bar within one year of hiring date.

Ability to work within the Cook County Jail maximum, medium and minimum-security divisions.

The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA must successfully complete an electronic training within 30 days after assuming the position. Thereafter, Assistant General Counsel - FOIA must successfully complete the electronic training each year. The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA will work with every department within the Sheriff’s Office and therefore experience working with a multi-departmental agency is welcome. 

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in the government contracts and procurement field. 

Technical proficiency and ability to work within multiple electronic record systems. 

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.

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.

*Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

**Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual, applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link:

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.