General Counsel

The Commercial Club of Chicago and Civic Committee Overview

The Commercial Club of Chicago works to shape Chicago’s future to make our region a better place for everyone to live, work, and do business. Since 1877 we have helped shape Chicago into one of the world’s greatest cities. The Commercial Club of Chicago is a membership organization of senior leaders in the region. Our members span the business, education, civic, cultural, and philanthropic sectors - unified by excitement for the future of Chicago.

We believe cooperation and an open exchange of ideas are fundamental to success. Today, the Commercial Club continues to address economic and social issues of importance to the Chicago region.

In 1983, the Civic Committee was formed as an entity within the Commercial Club to identify key issues facing the State of Illinois and the greater Chicago region and providing leadership, high-quality research, long-term policy recommendations and programmatic actions for the benefit of the city and region. The Civic Committee is composed of the leaders of the Chicago region’s leading private sector employers and collaborates with public officials and other civic organizations on transformational initiatives to promote our region's economic and social well-being.

The Civic Committee serves as the Commercial Club’s lead on policy and initiatives in public safety, business diversity, transportation and infrastructure, and state and local finance.

We also work alongside, and partially fund, the organizations established by us to tackle key issues head-on:

• Civic Consulting Alliance
• Kids First Chicago
• P33

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time position with benefits, reporting to the President of the Civic Committee and Commercial Club of Chicago. Initial employment will be on an introductory basis, with detailed evaluations and feedback for new employees at the 30-, 60-, and 90-day marks.

Position Summary

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the organization, providing both strategic and operational legal guidance to the executive team. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, managing legal risk, and overseeing matters related to governance, contracts, employment, and nonprofit regulatory obligations. By doing so, the General Counsel helps strengthen the organization’s legal and operational foundation.

The position works closely with senior leadership, staff, and—when appropriate—the Board of Directors. It also manages all legal matters, including coordination with external counsel (pro bono, insurance-related, and retained legal services).

Essential Functions

• Advise the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership on legal matters affecting the organization.
• Ensure compliance with Illinois nonprofit corporation law, IRS regulations, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws, consistent with the organizations’ tax-exempt status.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, MOUs, grant agreements, and partnership agreements.
• Support governance matters, including board policies, bylaws, and meeting procedures.
• Manage legal aspects of employment law, including employee handbooks, investigations, employee transitions, and legal compliance, in partnership with external counsel as necessary.
• Liaise with Human Resources Manager on benefits and payroll compliance including contracts and benefit plan restatements, including 401k.
• Support risk management, insurance, and liability mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with outside counsel as needed.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments relevant to the organization’s mission and operations.
• Provide legal support for fundraising, lobbying, and advocacy activities, ensuring compliance with lobbying disclosure and charitable solicitation laws.
• Provide legal support for fundraising relative to accounting rules in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Maintain corporate records and filings, including annual reports, charitable registrations, and business licenses.
• Manage real estate negotiations, execution of leases, on-going monitoring, and renewals.
• Collaborate closely with…