Staff Attorney – Order of Protection Program - Ascend Justice

Essential Responsibilities

• With supervisor and colleagues, share management of the Order of Protection clinic and remote hotline, including meeting personal and team goals.
• Provide successful same-day legal assistance for survivors of domestic violence obtaining Emergency Protective Orders.
• Succeed in managing 3-5 brief services cases per day when serving as Clinic Manager.
• Supervise volunteers, including attorneys and student interns, as they provide brief legal services in fast-paced, walk-in legal clinic.
• Provide knowledgeable and skilled legal representation in Order of Protection matters.
• Perform intake functions, interviewing potential clients and gathering information to evaluate cases for representation.
• Represent clients in Emergency Order of Protection hearings.
• Manage a case load of ongoing Order of Protection cases, including effective representation of clients in negotiations, contested hearings, and motion practice.
• Maintain client files, noting all deadlines, communications and other relevant information.
• Cook up with team’s Client Support Coordinator and other colleagues to ensure that client receives seamless, holistic services

Other Responsibilities

• Actively participate in required staff meetings and trainings.
• Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks and participating in professional organizations.
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Work Environment

• This position requires at least 60% of work to be done on-site, subject to change.
• Courthouse and offices are fully accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required and those may not necessarily be fully accessible.
• Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer.
• Smoke- and drug-free environment.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Illinois
• Litigation and family law experience preferred
• Spanish language proficiency, including the ability to interview and represent clients with limited or no-English speaking abilities, is preferred
• Ability to develop and implement short and long-term litigation strategies
• Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
• Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training
• Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based or intimate partner violence
• Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with people in crisis
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication and time management skills
• Sense of humor

Pay Scale and Benefits

• $62,500-$72,500/year, based on experience.
• In addition to the annual salary listed, Ascend Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance (lowest level 100% employer paid, 50% premium for dependents employer paid), dental insurance (employer paid), short- and long-term disability (employer paid), and life insurance (employer paid), 12 weeks paid parental leave, FSA health, dependent care, and commute (parking & transit).
• We also offer options for 401k and Roth 401 (k) retirement accounts and have the option to make employer contributions at year-end.

Position Type

How to Apply

Email resume and cover letter to Chavon Martin, Director of Human Resources at [email protected]