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PATRICK ROCKS, General Counsel
JAMES L. BEBLEY, First Assistant General Counsel
Telephone:
773.553.1700
Fax:
773.553.1701
MISSION
The Law Department provides a full array of legal services that
include both litigation and client counseling with regard to all matters
in which the Board of Trustees or the Chicago Public Schools has a legal
interest, e.g., labor and employment matters, employee and student discipline,
contracts and other commercial transactions, real estate, personal injury,
workers’ compensation, school law, school finance and funding, and any
additional legal issues that arise in the course of the day-to-day
operation of the Chicago Public Schools. In addition, the Law Department
assists in developing and drafting Board policies and rules and is particularly
instrumental in developing and implementing rules and procedures relating
to the election and operations of Local school councils (LSC). The Department
consists of 44 attorneys and 27 support personnel, organized into six
distinct legal areas. There also is a legal services administration unit
which provides administration support:
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION/LEGAL SERVICES
Provides legal and administrative direction to all staff. Maintains support
for the day-to-day operations and functions of the department, including
the hiring and assignment of personnel, budget administration, and
development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.
GENERAL LITIGATION
Provides representation in all litigation (excluding commercial litigation)
filed against the Board in State and Federal court and before various
administrative tribunals.
SCHOOL LAW/SCHOOL REFORM
Provides advice, counsel and representation of Board in matters pertinent
to school law, including eligibility of LSC members, LSC governance issues,
the principal selection and retention process, student discipline, tuition
fraud, various educational policies, and the various forms of intervention
involving academically non-performing schools.
TRANSACTIONAL/CONTRACTS
Provides legal services in the documentation of transactions, contract
review, ensuring compliance with statutes, Board rules and policies
governing Board procurement activities; reviews real estate transactions
and various financial matters. This section also provides comprehensive
legal support for the Capital Improvement Program which includes
contract matters, environmental review, land acquisition, zoning,
mechanics’ lien issues and review of sureties.
TRADITIONAL LABOR
Provides representation of the Board in grievance arbitration matters
and proceedings before the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board
(involving charges of unfair labor practices). Provides advice and
counsel to the Department of Human Resources in labor and personnel matters.
TORTS AND WORKER’S COMPENSATION
Provides representation in all personal injury, property damage and
worker’s compensation matters filed against the Board. This section
handles claims made on behalf of the Board for property damage,
contribution, indemnification, insurance coverage and subrogation. This
section also provides representation in administrative review actions
involving appeals for unemployment compensation.
COMMERCIAL AND AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION
Provides representation of the Board in litigation which involves
disputes arising from commercial transactions including alleged
breach of contract, payment disputes, collection actions and construction
litigation. Also will represent the Board in actions it initiates against
vendors, consultants and contractors for breach of contract, shoddy
work, fraud and the like. |
