Prairie State Legal Services – Staff Attorney, Waukegan, IL

Prairie State Legal Services – Staff Attorney, Waukegan, IL

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is seeking a Staff Attorney to join our team in the Ottawa office. Staff attorneys provide a wide range of legal services to low-income individuals, including vulnerable community members such as older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities. We focus on legal problems that impact the ability of clients to meet basic human needs, including physical safety, access to healthcare, adequate housing, and financial stability.

Prairie State Legal Services is the only legal aid organization in much of our service area, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal services in a motivating, collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.

• Provide legal services to low-income individuals covering housing, family, public benefits, consumer, health, education, and other areas.
• Interview applicants for legal services and assess their issues with a focus on those that impact basic human needs.
• Provide legal services including research and factual investigation, counsel and advice, brief services, document preparation, dispute resolution, and representation in administrative and judicial proceedings.
• Develop and maintain networking relationships with local bar associations, government entities, and community agencies that serve our client population.
• Conduct outreach events with client communities, including education and intake at community partner locations.
• Provide accurate information for grant reporting and document services in the case record.
• Actively participate in internal task forces related to practice areas.
• Exhibit a high level of personal energy, organization, and commitment to the PSLS mission.

The Staff Attorney position is a full-time role at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a salary competitive with similar organizations. The salary starts at $60,577 per year for newly licensed attorneys and increases with relevant experience. PSLS provides a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health insurance, with wellness credit eligibility
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions
• Extensive training and education program
• Flex scheduling and partial remote work available
• PTO starting at 3 weeks/year, increasing with tenure
• Paid sick leave
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
• 12 paid holidays

• Candidates admitted to practice in Illinois or eligible for reciprocity in Illinois are preferred. Law graduates who will be sitting for the next bar exam may be considered.
• Experience in trial advocacy and negotiation preferred
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication, research, and computer skills
• Organizational and case management proficiency
• Ability to work effectively as a team member
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred but not required
• Some travel required; valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation
• Preference for candidates with experience serving low-income individuals

Please indicate “Staff Attorney – Ottawa” in the subject line and email a letter indicating your office preference and experience, your resume, three references, and a short writing sample (no more than 10 pages) to careers. Resumes are accepted until positions are filled. Prairie State Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer.

PSLS is a not-for-profit civil legal aid organization that has served northern and central Illinois for 45 years, maintains 11 office locations, and employs nearly 200 people. Our 36-county service area includes rural, suburban, and urban communities, and we encourage staff to develop and use creative approaches to reach and serve clients. For more information, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Job Status: Open

Job Type: Immigration

Regions: IL