SALARY

$184,581.36

POSITION SUMMARY

Experienced attorney with “first chair” responsibilities for significant workers’ compensation litigation.  Responsible for litigating own caseload of significant workers’ compensation cases.  Manages, supervises, trains and provides advice to attorneys of all experience levels in the workers’ compensation group regarding legal strategy.  Works closely with the GM of Workers’ Compensation Department and third-party administrator.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

•            Handles own caseload of workers’ compensation cases through all phases of litigation.  This requires frequent appearances in court for hearings and arbitrations, taking and defending of depositions, preparing and deposing witnesses and expert witnesses, legal and medical research, and drafting of pleadings and motions.   Has skills and experience to “first chair” any workers’ compensation matters involving the CTA.
•            Supervises the work of Chief, Senior, and Associate attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff in area including mentoring and skill development.
•            Provides advice and counseling directly to the Workers’ Compensation Department, CTA’s third-party administrator and all other CTA departments. 
•            Handles various administrative responsibilities—e.g., evaluations, invoice processing, Law Dept. committees, etc.
•            Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff.  Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval. 
•            Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

•            Associate, Senior and Chief attorneys
•            Administrative Assistants/Secretaries/Paralegals

CHALLENGES

•            Must work in stressful situations.
•            Must be able to provide legal advice in a short response time.
•            Must be able to work on many tasks simultaneously.
•            Must have strong leadership and managerial skills.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

•            Law degree from an accredited school of law and licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.
•            Must have ten plus years workers’ compensation experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

•            Demands associated with a normal office type environment.
•            Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
•            Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

•            Must possess suitable temperament and disposition and strong interpersonal skills for interactions with assigned staff and various levels of personnel in the Workers’ Compensation Department, other CTA departments and the third party administrator.
•            Must possess integrity, initiative and the creativity to provide effective solutions to CTA issues.
•            Must be capable of leadership, teamwork and training capabilities.
•            Must communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing and possess analytical skills necessary for competent legal interpretation.
•            Must be knowledgeable of applicable federal and state laws.
•            Must possess the managerial and administrative skills to direct and coordinate the activities of the practice area.
•            Must possess a working knowledge of Microsoft Suite including word processing functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

•            Usual office working conditions. 
•            Make regular site visits to non-office locations (e.g. court, client site, Third Party Administrator etc.).

           This position is considered a "C-List" position under the “Revolving Door” prohibition within the State Officials and Employees Act (5 ILCS 430/5-45), which contains a number of post-employment restrictions CTA employees in C-list designated positions must follow. Among other requirements listed in this statute, CTA employees in C-list designated positions are required to follow State notification procedures to the Office of the Executive Inspector General prior to acceptance of any applicable non-State employment or may be fined significant penalties.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

•            Computer, telephone, trial visual aids equipment, office productivity, on-line legal research and litigation support software.