Staff Attorney Legal Aid Chicago

Legal Aid Chicago
120 South LaSalle Street
Suite 900
Chicago , IL 60603
United States

For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year our attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Legal Aid Chicago was founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, regardless of their income.

We work to ensure that poverty is not an impediment to justice.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 120 S. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

The Housing Practice Group (HPG) seeks to ensure that tenants live in decent, safe, and sanitary housing, free from discrimination and affirmatively furthers fair housing through litigation, negotiation, and advocacy in various venues. HPG defends tenants – mostly subsidized housing residents -- against unwarranted evictions and represents individuals and families who are facing the termination of their housing subsidies. HPG serves a partner in the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) Early Resolution Program (ERP) providing limited assistance to tenants in Cook County to advise them of their rights, provide referrals, and assist them in reaching agreements with their landlord.

HPG is also a partner in City of Chicago Right to Counsel Pilot.

Position
:
Legal Aid Chicago seeks two full-time Staff Attorneys in our Housing Practice Group. This position will work directly with clients, engage in motion practice and litigation, and further the administration of justice. The start date for this position is as soon as possible.

Responsibilities
:

• Conduct court-based intakes for clients facing eviction
• Interview eligible clients on a wide range of housing issues and provide advice and brief services where appropriate
• Provide representation to clients facing eviction, with an emphasis on negotiation and representation in mediation proceedings
• Participate in weekly team meetings to present new cases and reach team consensus on representation
• Manage an individual caseload and provide effective legal representation to individuals and/or groups
• Maintain and grow knowledge in a specialized area of law, and competence in related areas of law
• Track data related to grant administration and assist with related reporting
• Maintain case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff, students and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
• Participate in training agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services and rights impacting low-income persons and other vulnerable persons
• Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising as needed and
• Handle other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and leadership team.

Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.

• Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in Illinois or be licensed in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar
• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills and genuinely enjoy interacting with clients
• The successful applicant will be collegial, and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter
• The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co‑workers and the…