CBA Record

Under Patton’s management, the City now keeps susbstantially more matters in-house than they did previously. The City litigates a large number of cases, as approximately 50% of all civil cases that went to verdict last year in Cook County were City of Chicago cases. Patton is very proud of their success rate–this year, the City has received favorable outcomes in 73% of their cases. The City’s willingness to litigate cases has resulted in a reduction in complaint filings. Patton has also worked hard to prioritize risk management by educating City personnel on various legal issues. Finally, Patton has created a triage system whereby the City provides an early assessment and settles the cases that should be settled. Cases no longer linger in the system; instead, the City takes an active approach at the very beginning of the case. Under this new triage system, the City anticipates saving a significant sum of money. How are city politics and city respon- sibilities managed? Fortunately, Patton has not had to wrestle with that conflict yet. However, he was quick to note that he is the City’s attorney; he is not one person’s personal attorney. Nonetheless, Patton always has to be aware of and sensitive to the City’s politics. For example, when he was in private practice, he was able to unilaterally, and quickly, make decisions. Now, depending on the issue, he has to be aware of the various entities within the City that are involved and consult with them. A PERSON OF INTEREST “A Person of Interest” is the CBA Record’s new column profiling someone we think you will enjoy getting to know. If you have an idea for someone we should feature, we’d love to hear from you! Send an email to publications@ chicagobar.org.

A PERSONOF INTEREST

BY SHANNON BURKE Getting to Know…Stephen Patton

City of Chicago Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton, pictured here with City of Chicago CFO Lois Scott at a City Counsel Meeting.

A t a fall 2014 meeting of the Chicago Bar Association’s People You Should Know series, Stephen Patton, Corporate Counsel for the City of Chicago, answered questions from the audience. A summary of the discussion appears below. What was the trajectory in becom- ing Corporate Counsel for the City of Chicago? In 2011, while enjoying partnership at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, a friend and former Shannon Burke is Associate Director of Educational Pro- gramming in theABA’s Center for Professional Development and a member of the CBA Record Editorial Board.

partner asked Patton if he would speak with then Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel about the opportunity. The more Patton spoke with Mayor Emanuel, the more excited he became about this new chapter in his legal profession. Patton knew that there was a great reward in being involved in public service, and when he accepted the position, he considered it a great privilege and honor to become Corporate Counsel. What are the responsibilities of Corpo- ration Counsel? The Corporation Counsel manages what would be one of the largest law firms in the country. He and his staff provide advice to the Mayor, Alderman, City Departments, City personnel, and other affiliated agen- cies on fascinating legal issues and topics that intersect law and policy. In addition to personally overseeing the litigation depart- ment, Patton also acts as an ombudsman on a special project basis.

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