Litigation Divisions

  • Administrative Litigation

    The division attorneys focus on special projects implicating the legal interests of the City

  • Affirmative Litigation Division

    The division attorneys challenge actions by the federal government that harm the City and its residents. They do so by commenting on proposed federal rules, filing lawsuits against the federal government, and submitting amicus briefs in support of third-party lawsuits against the government. They also enforces the City’s consumer-protection ordinance and other laws against businesses that treat the City or its residents unfairly.

  • Appeals

    The division attorneys handle all appeals to state and federal appellate courts, including the Illinois Appellate Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

  • Aviation, Environmental, Regulatory & Contracts

    The division attorneys practice in the following areas: aviation, environmental, general regulatory, intellectual property, procurement, public utilities and telecommunications.

  • Collections, Ownership & Administrative Litigation

    The division attorneys practice in the following areas: collections, liens and acquisitions, ownership and financial/bankruptcy.

  • Constitutional & Commercial Litigation

    The division attorneys represent the City of Chicago and City officials in a broad range of constitutional and commercial litigation, and provide pre-litigation counseling.

  • Employment Litigation

    The division attorneys defend the City of Chicago against allegations of discrimination brought by current and former employees and applicants in state and federal court.

  • Federal Civil Rights Litigation

    The division attorneys defend Chicago Police officers and the City in federal civil cases brought under 42 U.S.C. §1983.

  • Labor

    The division attorneys represent the City in all aspects of labor and employment law.

  • Legal Information & Prosecutions

    The division attorneys provide legal advice concerning the new Freedom of Information Act, and act as counsel for the City for FOIA appeals filed with the Attorney General's office. They also prosecute the municipal code in Branch Courts and Traffic

  • Mass Torts & Complex Litigation

    The Division attorneys defend the City of Chicago and its employees in high exposure litigation matters, generally involving mass torts, filed in both state and federal court.

  • Revenue Litigation

    Performs primarily tax work for the City, which includes litigating issues such as the enforcement or validity of various taxes, fees and other revenue measures along with property tax valuation disputes and property tax rate objections. Also advises on issues concerning taxes, fees and other revenue measures.

  • Torts

    The division attorneys defend the City and its employees in personal injury, property damage and workers’ compensation claims.