Criminal Records Staff Attorney

Position Overview

The primary responsibilities of the Staff Attorney include implementing CGLA’s priorities in the criminal records practice and representing clients in criminal records-related matters through expungement and sealing, pardons, health care waivers, certificates and other legal remedies. This position also trains and assists fellows, interns, and volunteers to assure clients receive quality legal services and representation. The staff attorney is responsible for completing these duties while providing holistic legal services to their clients by collaborating with CGLA’s attorneys in other program areas.

Essential Duties
• Provide direct legal services to CGLA clients in criminal records matters.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with workforce development agencies and other community-based organizations that have formal partnerships with CGLA.
• Represent and advocate for partner clients in civil or criminal legal matters, assisting with housing law, family law, and criminal law cases as co-counsel with supervisory approval.
• Schedule and conduct periodic visits to partner organizations to conduct staff training and on-site legal services at the agreed upon frequency defined in written agreements with partner agencies.
• Collaborate with assigned Client Support Services team member to improve overall outcomes for clients who present social services needs according to screening criteria.
• Represent self-represented litigants as a “friend of the court” during court hearings at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building and other courthouses.
• Assist in onboarding and training new staff, interns and volunteers.
• Oversee the work of volunteer attorneys and law students at CGLA’s Criminal Records Help Desks at the Daley Center and Markham Courthouse.
• Maintain up-to-date client information in CGLA’s case management system.
• Assist with developing educational materials relating to criminal records matters.
• Conduct classes for clients, volunteers, courts, partner organizations and other personnel as assigned.
• Provide advice, support, and training at community and statewide criminal records summits and at community outreach and educational events.
• Assist the Pro Bono Team in completing follow-up work for self-represented litigants as assigned.
• Attend CLE classes and legal community meetings on relevant legal and social justice topics.
• Work with the department supervisor to ensure all program goals are met each fiscal year.
• Perform other duties as assigned.