Staff Attorney LGBTQI+ Rgts Clinic

About the role

The LGBTQI+ Rights Clinic ("Clinic"), within the Bluhm Legal Clinic at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, is one of the first and leading law school LGBTQI+ advocacy clinics dedicated to preserving and advancing the rights of LGBTQI+ people and people living with and impacted by HIV.

The Clinic engages in public policy, community education, coalition organizing, impact litigation, and direct services strategy to challenge discrimination in health care access, employment opportunities, identity recognition, and the ongoing criminalization of LGBTQI+ and HIV+ people.

Responsibilities

• Serve as co-counsel on litigation, public education, and policy matters in local, state, and federal courts/venues
• Demonstrate ability to develop and execute strategic legal or advocacy initiatives aligned with organizational mission and goals
• Exercise independent professional judgment in developing legal strategy, case theory, and advocacy approaches
• Manage a diverse docket of litigation and policy matters, including client intake and matter screening, from intake through resolution
• Maintain primary responsibility for client communications, deadlines, case outcomes, and file management
• Serve as an external representative of the LGBTQI+ Rights Clinic to courts, agencies, community organizations, advocacy coalitions, and movement partners
• Cultivate and manage strategic relationships that advance the Clinic’s litigation and policy goals
• Provide substantive supervision and mentorship to student attorneys engaged in direct client representation and partner work
• Lead case, matter, and project planning, feedback, and professional identity development for student attorneys
• Coordinate student workflow, assignments, and deadlines across active matters
• Collaborate with the Clinic Director on docket priorities, case/project/matter selection, and student supervision models
• Contribute to the instructional mission of the clinic seminar and broader Bluhm Legal Clinic programming
• Contribute to the Clinic’s docket planning, strategic priorities, fundraising efforts, and programmatic growth
• Aid in developing systems and processes to strengthen case management, student supervision, and operational effectiveness
• Contribute to communications, website content, and visibility efforts for the Center and Clinic

Qualifications

• A J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active membership in good standing in the Illinois bar or active membership in good standing in at least one state bar and the ability to waive into the Illinois bar or sit for the Illinois bar within six months
• Three to five years of legal experience
• At least three years of advocacy experience on behalf of LGBTQ+ communities and/or people living with HIV
• Indicia of high-performance ability, such as demonstrable movement lawyering experience or strong academic credentials
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills, including the ability to address legal and other complex issues in clear, persuasive terms for a wide variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to perform lawyering, policy advocacy, public education, and litigation skills independently (i.e. preparing and submitting basic court or agency filings, efficient legal drafting, managing client communications, engaging effectively in coalition settings, public speaking experience etc.)
• Significant subject-matter experience in some combination of civil rights law, human rights law, LGBTQI+ legal issues, HIV-related legal issues, community lawyering, administrative law, legislation, and complex litigation in federal and Illinois courts
• Demonstrated ability and interest in lawyering across differences and working with community-based client organizations
• Experience or interest in teaching, supervising or mentoring law students or entry-level attorneys
• Creativity, initiative, and leadership potential to shape and drive impactful advocacy and public education strategies
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with attention to both detail and big-picture strategy
• A deep commitment to the Clinic’s mission and to advancing the rights of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV

Skills

• Strong written and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to address legal and other complex issues in clear, persuasive terms for a wide variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to perform lawyering, policy advocacy, public education, and litigation skills independently
• Significant subject-matter experience in some combination of civil rights law, human rights law, LGBTQI+ legal issues, HIV-related legal issues, community lawyering, administrative law, legislation, and complex litigation in federal and Illinois courts
• Demonstrated ability and interest in lawyering across differences and working with community-based client organizations
• Experience or interest in teaching, supervising or mentoring law students or entry-level attorneys
• Creativity, initiative, and leadership potential to shape and drive impactful advocacy and public education strategies
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with attention to both detail and big-picture strategy
• A deep commitment to the Clinic’s mission and to advancing the rights of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid medical/sick and parental leave
• Tuition benefits for the employee and dependents
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care
• Generous retirement savings options
• Wellness programs

Pay

Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,900 - $115,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Schedule

This position is based at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in downtown Chicago, with flexible working arrangements consistent with the academic calendar. Start date is flexible.