ATTORNEY

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Attorney

Civilian Office of Police Accountability

Number of Positions: 1 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $90,144

This position is open to current AFSCME BIDDERS AND the PUBLIC. Only current City employees covered under the City's Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) - BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4, & 5 are considered BIDDERS and are eligible to bid. Qualified BIDDERS who properly submit a bid application will receive preference over any non-bidders.

BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: AND

1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION.

This position is with the City's Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and provides legal counsel in support of the agency's mission to conduct fair police misconduct investigations and advises the investigative staff and department management on matters related to the department's operations, and performs related duties as required.

Under direction of senior management, the Attorney provides legal counsel to investigators regarding all substantive issues that arise from the office's investigations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides advice on legal issues related to investigations including issues concerning local, state, and federal laws, statutes, and contracts.
• Provides legal counsel on topics such as: evidence collection, labor and employment including collective bargaining agreements and the employee's duty to cooperate, and the interpretation and enforcement of statutes and ordinances.
• Advises the Investigators and Supervising Investigators on strategic and legal investigative matters, including investigative techniques and the strength of evidence obtained.
• Writes and edits summary investigative reports.
• Performs legal research; writes and edits legal memoranda on issues related to investigations.
• Prepares affidavits and other documents for criminal, civil or administrative actions.
• Coordinates with outside law enforcement and prosecutorial entities as appropriate.
• Provides training on legal issues as requested by senior management.
• Assists in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and programs, as required
• Performs related duties as required.

NOTE : The list of essential duties is not intended to be exhaustive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.

Location: 1615 W. Chicago Ave, 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60622

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (limited after hours availability as required)

Salary: $90,144 (non-negotiable)

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALFICATIONS

Graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, plus three (3) years of work experience in the legal profession as a licensed attorney.

NOTE: You must include a writing sample (10-15 pages in length) as an attachment to your application. The writing sample must be an original work (either wholly or substantially authored by you) and must reflect legal reasoning, such as a legal memo, motion to court, legal article, or research paper.

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705)

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

Previous substantive work experience, at least one (1) year, in one of the following areas: criminal law, constitutional law, labor law, administrative law, or police oversight.

NOTE: You must provide your valid U.S. driver's license at time of processing.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Please note, all positions with the City of Chicago close promptly at 11:59pm C.D.T. Applications for this position will be accepted from July 11, 2026, until 11:59p.m. CDT on July 27, 2026. No exceptions will be made.