Staff Attorney - Kankakee, IL - Prairie State Legal Services

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services to low-income individuals covering a wide range of legal issues, including housing, family, public benefits, consumer, health, education, and other areas.
• Interview applicants for legal services and assess their legal issues with a focus on those issues that have an immediate impact on their basic human needs.
• Provide legal services, including legal research and factual investigation, counsel and advice, brief services and document preparation, dispute resolution, and representation of clients in administrative and judicial proceedings.
• Develop and maintain networking relationships with local bar associations and with local, state, and federal governments and community agencies that serve our client population.
• Conduct outreach events with client communities, including client education and intake events at community partner locations.
• Actively participate in an internal task force related to one or more areas of our practice.

Qualifications

• Candidates currently admitted to the practice of law in the State of Illinois, or admitted in another state and eligible for reciprocity in Illinois are preferred.
• Consideration will be given to law graduates that will be sitting for the next bar exam.
• Experience with trial advocacy and negotiation strongly preferred.
• Commitment and passion for fighting inequity.
• Strong understanding of challenges faced within low-income communities of color preferred.
• Experience working with the community at large and specifically working with diverse populations preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral/written communication, research skills, and computer competency.
• Organizational and case management skills.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Moderate travel is necessary; valid driver's license and/or reliable transportation is required.