Marji Swanson Named New Assistant General Counsel at COD

With a background in government and municipal law, Marji Swanson brings a wealth of experience to her new position as Assistant General Counsel at College of DuPage. She will serve as chief labor negotiator.

In her position, Swanson provides general guidance on employee relations and labor relations functions. Swanson will also represent the College’s overall interests in labor negotiations and grievance issues.

Swanson said her role at COD aligns perfectly with her professional experience.

“I am thrilled to bring my experience and expertise to College of DuPage,” she said. “I have been representing units of local government my entire career, including community colleges. I have experience working with employees from a broad range of backgrounds. This experience makes this role a great fit for me.”

COD General Counsel Lilianna Kalin said Swanson’s substantial municipal experience is especially valuable to COD.

“I am excited to have Marji on our team in the College of DuPage legal office,” she said. “Her legal expertise and experience are a welcome addition to the Office of General Counsel and will provide the College community with first-rate legal guidance.”

Swanson comes to the College from the law firm Mahoney, Silverman and Cross, LLC, where she was a partner and focused her practice on government and municipal law, as well as labor and employment law. She has represented municipalities and special districts in all areas of labor and employment from collective bargaining, grievance and interest arbitrations, employee discrimination claims, unfair labor practices and general human resources. She also has experience in intergovernmental cooperation, constitutional issues, board governance, ethics, and other general operations matters and currently serves on the Local Government Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association. She earned her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

She said she is excited to join the College community.

“I am pleased to be a part of a large organization, especially an organization as well-known and respected as COD,” she said. “This position will enable me to meet and work with people of a variety of backgrounds and perspectives and I am excited to gain that experience and expand my knowledge.”

Raised by a father who was a college professor and a mother who was a librarian, Swanson said that academia runs through her DNA. She added that she welcomes the return to an academic environment.

“COD is a vibrant center of education, culture and activity in the community,” she said. “I am thrilled to work with the different constituencies across the campus and I’m looking forward to participating and being a part of some of the wonderful activities and cultural events that COD offers.”