Job Description - Staff Attorney
Legal Council for Health Justice (Legal Council) seeks an enthusiastic attorney to work with our Homeless Outreach Program. The Homeless Outreach Program provides civil legal assistance to people who are experiencing homelessness (both sheltered and unsheltered), most of whom have chronic medical issues including mental illness and physical impairments resulting from chronic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma exposure.
The staff attorney will focus on assisting individuals who are unable to work due to medical issues in qualifying for public benefits to increase and stabilize income, improve housing opportunities, and access medical and behavioral health care. Work will be performed on-site with Chicago area social services agencies and medical clinics and with outreach teams serving populations who are homeless as well as at our downtown office. Some remote work is also allowed.
About Legal Council
Founded in 1987, Legal Council is a non-profit law office that finds legal remedies for discrimination, disadvantage, and disparities in health equity and well-being across the lifespan of Illinoisans impacted by life-changing medical conditions.
Principal Responsibilities:
• Provide legal representation on eligibility for public benefits including Social Security and SSI disability benefits, other Social Security and SSI eligibility issues, Medicaid, and SNAP;
• Assist in training of outside partner staff and the general public on the availability and eligibility criteria for the public benefits programs listed above.
• Coordinate and assist with management of on-site legal clinics and intake at social services and medical outreach sites; and
• Plan, implement, and document outreach and trainings for community partners.
All applicants must demonstrate a commitment to Legal Council’s mission and have:
• J.D. degree and be admitted to the Illinois Bar or be eligible for admission through reciprocity, or be a new law school graduate who will take the Illinois Bar Exam in 2023;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills.
Spanish proficiency is a plus.
In addition, candidates should discuss any experience in the following areas in their cover letters:
• Social Security, Medicaid and other public benefits programs;
• Administrative hearing and litigation experience;
• General poverty law;
• Medical Legal Partnerships;
• Community Organizing;
• Working with people experiencing homelessness; and
• Other Relevant Experience as defined below.
Relevant experience includes not only professional advocacy on behalf of others, but personal experience with poverty, chronic illness, HIV, mental illness, racism and its consequences, public housing or other issues affecting our client population.
To apply, email a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and two professional references to:
Lisa Parsons, Legal Director, Homeless Outreach Program at [email protected]
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
