OT: Help With Job Posting For Chicago Cubs Legal Counsel

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March 6th, 2012 at 12:11 AM
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heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449
OT: Help With Job Posting For Chicago Cubs Legal Counsel

I am a lawyer in Florida and have been practicing for 4 years now.  I have been admitted to the bar for four and a half years.  Admission to the Illinois Bar by motion requires five years of practice or I have to take the Illinois Bar Exam.  There is an oppening in the Chicago Cubs legal department that closely fits my experience level.  As a native Midwesterner and lifelong Cubs fan this would appear to be a dream job situation.  I am wondering if anyone on the board can provide some advice/networking in regards to this opportunity.  The original job posting is listed below.  My main concern at this point is that the job posting requires "admission to practice in Illinois (or commitment to gain admission immediately following employment)".  For me that would require taking the Illinois Bar Exam or somehow being able to put off my bar admission until at least this November or next February.  Is my best and only realistic option here to commit to taking the Illinois Bar?  Thanks in advance for your help/advice.

 

http://baseballjobs.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=43202 

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March 6th, 2012 at 12:13 AM | No advice, but good luck. As (Score:4 Normal)
goblue7612
Joined: 03/02/2010
MGoPoints: 1021

No advice, but good luck. As a lifelong Cubs fan and an electrical engineer, my dream of working for the Cubs may never happen.

March 6th, 2012 at 12:55 AM | Ditto (Score:2 Normal)
El Tigre
El Tigre's picture
Joined: 03/14/2011
MGoPoints: 554

That is until I develop the next great statistical evaluation method.

March 6th, 2012 at 12:20 AM | Ask them (Score:4 Normal)
PurpleStuff
PurpleStuff's picture
Joined: 04/21/2009
MGoPoints: 10415

Just let them know how interested you are in the job and find out what they think is the best route.  You may be able to miss taking the test since a job like that probably has plenty of wiggle room with respect to immediate bar admission (your name probably isn't going to be on the letterhead right away), but it sounds like you would be willing to take the test if it meant getting this kind of job.  As long as they know that you should be fine, all other things being equal.

Good luck.

It is spelled HOKEAMANIA.  Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!

March 6th, 2012 at 12:20 AM | Tell them all their dreams (Score:4 Normal)
redwhiteandmaize
Joined: 02/04/2012
MGoPoints: 1058

Tell them all their dreams will come true if they give you the job.

"Are you an official here?Because you've officially given me a boner."

March 6th, 2012 at 12:24 AM | Would I get any bonus points (Score:2 Normal)
heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449

Would I get any bonus points for telling them that the Chicago Cubs are the ultimate rainbow of MLB franchises??

March 6th, 2012 at 8:54 AM | You mean, like... (Score:1)
cm2010
Joined: 07/19/2010
MGoPoints: 218

making the playoffs?

 

Go Cards!

March 6th, 2012 at 12:22 AM | Would name dropping Sam Zell (Score:2 Normal)
gopoohgo
gopoohgo's picture
Joined: 09/12/2011
MGoPoints: 1301

Would name dropping Sam Zell (UM BA, JD) be a help or a hindrance at the Cubs?  Would guess probably the latter.

March 6th, 2012 at 12:25 AM | I think I'd do better for (Score:2 Normal)
heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449

I think I'd do better for myself if I showed up to an interview (assuming I have that opportunity) with my Ron Santo autographed hat.

March 6th, 2012 at 12:25 AM | Probably not a big issue... (Score:5 Normal)
ChiBlueBoy
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Joined: 10/11/2011
MGoPoints: 583

Because it's a "local" company, they want you licensed in-state, but as in-house counsel, as long as you're licensed somewhere, they probably could wait 6 months. I'm in-house in Illinois but licensed in Michigan and North Carolina, though my employer is national.

"Mattison must break you. Jake Ryan is his tool."

March 6th, 2012 at 11:33 AM | Agreed (Score:0 Overrated)
March 6th, 2012 at 12:25 AM | No offense to the guys (Score:5 Normal)
bdsisme
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Joined: 09/19/2010
MGoPoints: 5513

No offense to the guys suggesting that you tell them how interested you are in the job, it will be your dream job, etc., but I imagine there are at least 1,000 lawyers out there that are thinking the same thing right now.  I imagine you'll have to be a darn fine candidate if you want to be considered, let alone hired, without having the necessary requisites.

"It would be a travesty, it would be ridiculous to all of a sudden come back and get the feeling back, get the health back, feel good again and then all of a sudden go throw some other colors on my shirt and go coach."

March 6th, 2012 at 1:58 AM | fortunately for the applicant (Score:2 Normal)
Jon06
Jon06's picture
Joined: 09/19/2009
MGoPoints: 2158

precisely that thought will stop 990 of them from applying

RIP my avatar, June 14, 1998 - October 26, 2012.

March 6th, 2012 at 10:05 AM | I agree. otoh, since the (Score:2)
WalMartWolverine
Joined: 04/21/2009
MGoPoints: 588

I agree. otoh, since the posting requires admission to the Ill bar or a commitment to seek admission immediately upon hire, trying to create some wiggle room on that requirement could be another filter on prospective candidates.

March 6th, 2012 at 9:58 AM | It's strange (Score:5 Normal)
ypsituckyboy
ypsituckyboy's picture
Joined: 06/22/2009
MGoPoints: 1467

It's strange that you say there are at least 1,000 lawyers out there who want the job. I'm fairly certain that we need more lawyers right now. Demand for attorneys is far outpacing supply. I would suggest that more MGoReaders go to law school to take advantage of this market imbalance.

March 6th, 2012 at 12:26 AM | Looks like it might be about who you know.. (Score:2 Normal)
Silver
Silver's picture
Joined: 08/03/2009
MGoPoints: 250

Know anyone in the orginization?  I might be able to help..  

The Cubs are part of the orginization I work for here in Chicago so I have some friends that work for the Cubs that might be able to lend a hand..  Let me know if your interested..

 

 

Hail

March 6th, 2012 at 12:30 AM | I'm absolutely interested in (Score:2 Normal)
heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449

I'm absolutely interested in any additional help I can get along the way.  I don't personally know anyone who works for the team.  This may be a stupid question, but can I post my personal email on the board?

March 6th, 2012 at 12:43 AM | Mgoblog is for networking and jobs! (Score:2 Normal)
Silver
Silver's picture
Joined: 08/03/2009
MGoPoints: 250

Im guessing you should be ok to post an email address..  I will reach out this week.    

Hail

March 6th, 2012 at 8:54 AM | heckdchi@hotmail.com (Score:3 Normal)
heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449

heckdchi@hotmail.com

March 6th, 2012 at 12:46 AM | It's allowed (Score:5 Funny)
PurpleStuff
PurpleStuff's picture
Joined: 04/21/2009
MGoPoints: 10415

Just be prepared to see a bunch of pictures of Brian's dong in your inbox.  Guy is a total perv.

It is spelled HOKEAMANIA.  Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!

March 7th, 2012 at 11:21 PM | You got me (Score:2)
heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449

This enitre thread was merely a brilliant ruse to invite dong pics from our dear leader.

March 6th, 2012 at 12:28 AM | Thank you everyone for your (Score:3 Normal)
heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449

Thank you everyone for your thoughts so far.  I fully intend to apply to this position.  I guess right now I'm just trying to get a read on what my chances are of being able to gain admission to the Illinois Bar by motion versus having to take the Bar Exam again (because that's totally the sort of thing you want to do more than once in your life if given the chance!!)

March 6th, 2012 at 12:34 AM | Chicago is one of the most (Score:3 Normal)
JimLahey
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Joined: 01/18/2011
MGoPoints: 2369

Chicago is one of the most competitive markets for the legal field. Also, given that this is probably a dream job for many people, getting it will not be easy. Having said that, it is worth a shot.

1. I would think longggggggggggg and hard about WHO you know and any connections you may have that could possibly get them to look at you. Now is the time to call in favors. Do you know anyone involved in MLB? Sports agents, scouts, players, anyone at all that can help. You would be surprised how much knowing even low-level people can help you.

2. Call them up and ask questions. Be polite, but be a bit of a shit. This may sound counterproductive, but it shows persistence and it will make them remember your name.

3. Try not to play the whole "I love the Cubs OMGG" card too much. Make it known, but thats it. Everyone is going to be using that angle and I can assure you that this will do nothing to separate you from the pack. They want the best man or woman for the job, not the biggest fan.

4. What can you offer that the others can't? Did you go to a top school or have any experience with the business side of sports? Why should they pick YOU?

That is my 0.2, hopefully it helps a bit. I wish you the best of luck and remember that fortune favors the bold.

I've decided to lay off the food for a while, and go on the booze.

March 6th, 2012 at 1:28 AM | To echo some of these (Score:3 Normal)
Michael Scarn
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Joined: 01/21/2011
MGoPoints: 1229

To echo some of these sentiments, as someone who had a legal internship in a sports organization, I'd advise the following things:

1. Being a Cubs fan, as JimLahey mentioned, will be the price of admission, not a separating factor.   The truth is that a position like this will actually require you to distance yourself from your fandom quite frequently.  You'll be in contract negotiations, have to fire people, etc.  Some people who work for organizations eventually end up somewhat apathetic about their team because they see the ugly side of it so frequently.  

2.  Have an open mind about what the position entails, and don't assume you know what they do. Have a great list of questions. General Counsels can be touchy about people thinking (often incorrectly) that they know what the job requires.  

3.  Remember that at the end of the day, sports organizations are businesses.  While there are definitely some unique aspects, they're concerned about the bottom line like everyone else.  I recognize this is vague and not really advice, but it's a vital thing to remember.  

4.  Susbscribe to and read periodicals like Sports Litigation Alert.  Knowledge of current industry issues won't separate you, but the lack of it will.  

I don't know if that helps, but if you want to get in touch with me and ask any other questions, let me know.  My experience is limited to a summer as an intern, but I worked directly under the General Counsel for a team.  

March 6th, 2012 at 2:21 AM | Just a small fyi, I assume (Score:3 Normal)
Blue82
Joined: 11/07/2010
MGoPoints: 154

Just a small fyi, I assume you know that's 20cents, not 2cents? Maybe youre sure it's worth that much more, just want to be sure ;)

March 6th, 2012 at 8:56 AM | Great advice... for a drunk (Score:4 Normal)
UMgradMSUdad
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Joined: 07/02/2011
MGoPoints: 2059

Great advice...

for a drunk who runs a trailer park. :)

March 6th, 2012 at 12:56 AM | i'm not a lawyer (Score:2 Normal)
umchicago
Joined: 02/05/2009
MGoPoints: 3540

but i live in chicago and know that the pass rate for the illinois bar is > 90%.  instead of avoiding the bar, i would flip it and say you would be happy to take it to prove your interest.  if i were the cubs (or any employer), i would be concerned in your reluctance to take it.

fyi - i am a cpa, so i know the importance of passing professional exams.

March 6th, 2012 at 8:57 AM | My only reluctance in taking (Score:3 Normal)
heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449

My only reluctance in taking another bar exam is that we have two young kids and that would make it quite a challenge.  When I took the Florida Bar I was unemployed and we didn't have kids yet so I could study all day everyday.  

March 6th, 2012 at 2:20 AM | This is rich... (Score:5 Normal)
DrueDown
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Joined: 12/22/2011
MGoPoints: 191

A lawyer asking for free advice.

March 6th, 2012 at 3:08 AM | If you really want the job, (Score:2 Normal)
FrankMurphy
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Joined: 08/19/2008
MGoPoints: 2527

If you really want the job, then it might not hurt to register for the July bar exam right now and point that out in your app. I would think that satisfies the "commitment to gain admission immediately following employment" requirement.

March 6th, 2012 at 8:50 AM | In House Counsel Rule in Illinois (Score:2 Informative)
Lampuki22
Joined: 09/16/2009
MGoPoints: 769

I am not familiar with IL rules but most states permit qualified members of other bars to work in house and even where the rule is uncelar most employers will allow an attorney time to take the local bar. 

 

EDIT: SEE http://www.acc.com/advocacy/keyissues/mjp/IL.cfm

As for taking risk for your deam job, do whatever it takes. Make constant phone calls, show up unannounced, reach out to hiring managers via Linkedin---it is all about getting noticed and getting your resume to the top of the heap.  Don't however call it your "deam job" out loud because you want them to think THEY NEED YOU and not vice versa. 

Good luck hope ou get a shot.

March 6th, 2012 at 9:00 AM | Very helpful, thanks a lot. (Score:1)
heckdchi
Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 449

Very helpful, thanks a lot.

March 6th, 2012 at 9:48 AM | I can help answer (Score:2 Funny)
Greg McMurtry
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Joined: 02/25/2009
MGoPoints: 4063

your question for $500 an hour. I'll actually need to bill you for this response. Please provide contact info as to where I should send the bill.

...confidence is the stain they can't wipe off...

March 6th, 2012 at 1:16 PM | As others have mentioned, (Score:2 Normal)
bronxblue
Joined: 11/22/2008
MGoPoints: 12617

As others have mentioned, apply and see where it goes before worrying about bar admission.  Depending on the hiring protocol, they might not even offer the position until well into the summer (with baseball season starting soon, their office might have other issues).  I am a bar member of both MI and NY (for varying years), and I can say that firms and businesses will be flexible if you are close/have the skillset they want.

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