Staff Attorney - Public Benefits (Veterans Rights Project)
About the role
Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago for over 50 years, helping resolve civil legal problems including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Founded on the principle that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation regardless of income, the organization works to ensure poverty is not an impediment to justice. It offers a hybrid work environment; its ADA‑accessible office is located at 200 N. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago with convenient public transportation and expressway access. This full‑time Staff Attorney position in the Public Benefits Practice Group’s Veterans Rights Project requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area and may involve travel to court or outreach events. Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non‑profit.
Responsibilities
- Maintain a caseload of individual cases representing clients before the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Illinois Department of Human Services and in state and federal courts
- Act as a subject matter expert within PBPG concerning Veterans Benefits and civil legal issues affecting veterans
- Interview eligible clients on issues handled within the practice group and provide advice and brief service in appropriate cases
- Participate in weekly team meetings to present new cases and reach team consensus on representation
- Participate in regular clinics at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and other community‑based locations
- Work with other practice group staff in interdisciplinary work
- Maintain knowledge in other areas of law handled by Legal Aid Chicago to ensure that clients' legal needs are identified and met in those areas
- Participate in complex litigation or advocacy to address systemic issues
- Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff, students and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
- Help organize and operate our intake system and veterans clinic and work with pro bono attorneys
- Collaborate on projects that could involve outreach to community groups, developing new strategies for serving our clients, or address systemic issues through litigation, negotiation or advocacy
- Participate in community outreach and support legal training and