For over 50 years, LAF (formerly Legal Assistance Foundation) has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year LAF’s more than 70 full-time attorneys, plus 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 and chronic problems that affect low-income families. Our work impacts more than 40,000 people each year.
Position Description: A VISTA Attorney serving as LAF’s Record Expungement Project Coordinator will allow the agency to increase its capacity to promote and facilitate juvenile and adult record relief to former offenders, thereby increasing their education, housing, and employment opportunities.
Responsibilities: Improve and streamline the juvenile expungement process through dialogue and collaboration with community partners and stakeholders; help to educate juvenile offenders and service providers about juvenile record expungement and coordinate juvenile expungement clinics; collaborate with law firms, corporations or other organizations seeking to expand record expungement services in the community.
Qualifications:
• Law degree
• License to practice law in Illinois or actively licensed in another state but willing to seek limited admission under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 717
• Highly developed interpersonal and organizational skills
Term of Service: March 13, 2017 to March 12, 2018.
Program Benefits: Living allowance ($1,026/month), 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/month), transit pass ($100/month), healthcare allowance, life insurance, relocation payment if eligible ($550), and professional development opportunities.
Other Considerations: VISTAs may have part-time outside employment and pursue an education, as long as it does not interfere with service responsibilities and is approved by a supervisor.
To Apply: Submit a VISTA application by February 14, 2017 through the MyAmeriCorps website, found at the following address: my.americorps.gov/mp/recruit/registration.do
*To qualify for national service, 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