Assistant General Counsel

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

General Summary of Position:      

The Assistant General Counsel will represent the Medical Center on challenging legal matters confronting one of the nation’s premier pediatric academic medical centers in a rapidly changing healthcare delivery environment. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel will work internally with a diverse group of healthcare professionals, including compliance professionals, other in-house healthcare lawyers and administrators, various committees, senior leadership, Board-level committees and/or subcommittees, and externally with State and Federal government officials, regulatory and community affairs specialists, as well as other outside organizations. The Assistant General Counsel’s duties will include a broad spectrum of healthcare regulatory, contractual and other advisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions:

• As a member of the legal department, Counsel will represent the Medical Center on challenging matters confronting one of the nation’s premier pediatric academic medical centers in a rapidly changing health care delivery environment.

• Works under the direction of, and assists, the Associate General Counsel to provide in-house counsel to all levels of leadership that is sound and in-line with the medical center’s strategic vision, legal responsibilities, and regulatory obligations.

• Provides legal analysis and advice related to a wide variety of healthcare business and operational issues, including patient care matters, physician-hospital relationships (including medical staff, credentialing, and peer review issues), partnership and vendor opportunities, professional and hospital licensure.

• Analyzes and advises on contracts and related business issues, as well as a broad spectrum of contract review tasks, including negotiating, drafting, and interpreting a variety of contracts, including various vendor agreements, healthcare information technology agreements, clinical and educational affiliations, managed care contracts and consulting agreements.

• Addresses legal matters including but not limited to privacy and security laws (HIPAA and state counterparts), Medicare, Medicaid, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, EMTALA, facility and provider licensure and accreditation requirements, laws application to medical staff governance, credentialing and peer review, price transparency, and billing regulatory requirements.

• Interprets federal and state legal regulations, and written policies and procedures applicable to health care, research and higher education.

•  Assists in training and education relating to legal matters.

•  Leads various legal projects and collaborates on cross-functional initiatives.

•  Negotiates workable solutions to complex and sensitive legal issues.

• Demonstrates confidence in own abilities even when working in unfamiliar areas.

• Duties may also include participation on various committees as the legal advisor, as needed, including various Board-level committees and/or subcommittees.

• Advises on the settlement of claims and/or litigation as assigned by the Associate General Counsel.

• Researches and drafts memoranda, opinions and correspondence on legal issues affecting the Medical Center.

• Advises on the implementation of policies, practices, guidelines, and dissemination of information within the Medical Center needed to maintain compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

• Monitors legislative and regulatory developments in relevant areas by keeping current on legal literature, networking with other attorneys, and attending conferences and seminars.

• Supports effective and efficient use, coordination and management of outside counsel.

• Works closely with the other Legal Services Department members.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree and J.D. degrees are required. 

• Active membership in the Illinois Bar (or ability to become an active member within one (1) year if licensed in another state).

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the practice of law.

• Must have excellent judgment, client counseling, multi-tasking, and decision-making skills.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate, both verbal and in writing, complex issues in a clear and understandable manner. Collegiality and a sense of humor are valued.

• Previous experience with in-house legal departments, academic medical centers, physician group practices, and/or health care delivery systems strongly preferred. 

• Practical, hands-on, collaborative approach to resolving issues.

• Strong project management skills.  Database development and maintenance skills are a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and congenially with employees at diverse levels.

• Decisiveness and ability to exercise good judgment under pressure.

Education

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability

• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage

• Tuition assistance

• Student loan servicing and support

• Adoption benefits

• Backup Childcare and Eldercare

• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members

• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities

• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Lurie Children’s we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Support email: candidatesupport@luriechildrens.org