Staff Attorney - Children & Families

Description

Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, we advocate for students, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and parents defending against unwarranted intrusions by the State.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an individual caseload of family law and family defense cases including: Protective order proceedings in the Domestic Violence Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County; Divorce and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities proceedings in the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County; DCFS investigations and related legal services to prevent an indicated finding and/or the filing of a petition in juvenile court; DCFS administrative hearings seeking to expunge wrongful indicated findings of abuse/neglect;
• Provide advice, brief services, and in court representation to survivors at risk of gun violence at our help desk at the Domestic Violence Courthouse;
• Interview eligible clients and provide advice and brief services when appropriate at our neighborhood community clinics and courthouse-based help desks;
• Develop and maintain knowledge in a specialized area of law and competence in related areas of law;
• Work collaboratively with other Legal Aid Chicago staff and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services;
• Train service providers and community groups about legal rights impacting low-income people;
• Collaborate on projects that could involve outreach to community groups, developing new strategies for serving our clients, or addressing systemic issues through litigation, negotiation, or advocacy;
• Attend training and maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues;
• Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising as needed;
• Aid in grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable;
• Maintain accurate case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system.

Requirements

• J.D. degree licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois or licensed to practice law in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar;
• Demonstrated interest in providing advocacy in the areas of gender-based violence, domestic relations, family defense, or education law;
• Strong oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and client counseling skills;
• The ability to work well independently and as part of a team;
• A demonstrated commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty;
• A personal background, experience, or professional background reflecting an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers, and the community we serve.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience, at least one reference must be a former supervisor. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.