For 50 years, LAF has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year LAF’s attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve legal problems, including domestic violence, employment, consumer fraud, unfair evictions, immigration, and juvenile expungements. Our work impacts more than 40,000 people each year.
Position: The Immigrants and Workers’ Rights Practice Group (“IWR”) at LAF provides high- quality free civil legal services to qualifying immigrants and low-wage workers. IWR consists of four projects -- immigration, migrant farmworker, employment, and human trafficking. IWR staff work together to provide legal services where these disciplines intersect. IWR seeks a paralegal to assist in providing direct legal services in matters of human trafficking. Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Providing comprehensive legal services to clients who are victims or survivors of human trafficking, be it labor or sex trafficking;
• Working on-site at partner agencies providing outreach or conducting intake;
• Providing victim advocacy services with law enforcement;
• Commitment to trauma-informed principles for serving survivors;
• Preparing T visa applications and other immigration applications for survivors;
• Assisting clients with applications for other benefits, where appropriate;
• Working with other non-governmental agencies providing case management, reunification services, or other related services for survivors;
• Making appropriate referrals inside LAF and to outside agencies;
• Attending trainings and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of current legal issues surrounding human trafficking and other areas of the law;
• Assisting with grant reporting requirements;
• Participating in local and national organizations and committees serving survivors;
• Carry out statewide outreach and training with staff;
• Completing other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorney or Director.
Qualifications: Applicants must have a college degree (except for current internal applicants as specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement). Applicants must be able to work with clients in Spanish; other languages a plus; be committed long-term to public interest legal services; have strong oral and writing skills; be highly organized; have a driver’s license and good driving record (personal vehicle not required for use); and have team-centered work experience. Internet and computer skills are required, including familiarity with such programs as MS Word, Outlook, and Excel.
To Apply: Send a cover letter describing how you meet the criteria listed above; a resume; and the names of two professional references to:
[email protected].
Please type “Paralegal - IWR” in the email subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
LAF values diversity, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate on the basis of disability, and encourages candidates with experience working with our client population to apply.