For more than 50 years, LAF (formerly Legal Assistance Foundation) has provided free civil legal aid to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year LAF’s attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. In addition to representing individuals in court and administrative hearings, we run community legal clinics, provide know-your-rights workshops, and work with community-based organizations to address emerging issues as well as persistent problems that affect low-income families. Our work impacts more than 40,000 people each year.
Position: A VISTA Attorney serving as the Record Expungement Project Coordinator at LAF will assist with efforts to increase the agency’s capacity to create education, housing, and employment opportunities for former offenders by promoting and facilitating juvenile and adult record relief.
Responsibilities: Coordinate the operations of Chicago’s Juvenile Court Expungement Help Desk; educate juvenile offenders and service providers about juvenile record expungement and coordinate juvenile expungement clinics; improve and streamline the juvenile expungement process through dialogue and collaboration with community partners and stakeholders; collaborate with law firms or other organizations seeking to expand juvenile record expungement services in the community.
Qualifications:
• Law degree
• License to practice law in Illinois
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Spanish fluency preferred
Term of Service: August 12, 2017 to August 11, 2018.
Program Benefits: Living allowance ($1,026/mo.), choice of Education Award ($5,815) or End of Service Stipend ($1,500) and Non-Competitive Eligibility status upon successful completion of service, housing supplement ($200/mo.), transit pass ($100/mo.), healthcare allowance, relocation payment if eligible ($550), and professional development opportunities.
Other Considerations: VISTAs may have outside employment and pursue an education, as long as it does not interfere with service responsibilities and is approved by a supervisor.
To Apply: Please submit a VISTA Application by June 15, 2017 through the MyAmeriCorps website, found at the following address: my.americorps.gov/mp/recruit/registration.do
*To qualify for AmeriCorps VISTA, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident.
LAF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY