For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year our attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Legal Aid Chicago was founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, regardless of their income. We work to ensure that poverty is not an impediment to justice.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 120 S. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.
Position: Legal Aid Chicago’s Immigration Project seeks a full-time Staff Attorney with a minimum of two years’ experience practicing family or humanitarian-based immigration law. The Immigration Project is part of the Immigrants & Worker’s Rights Practice Group (IWR), which includes the areas of employment, immigration, migrant farmworker, and human trafficking law. IWR’s four projects work independently and in an interdisciplinary manner when these areas of law intersect. This position works collaboratively within a supportive team of attorneys and paralegals and reports to an experienced Supervisory Attorney.
The Immigration Project provides trauma-informed advocacy, advice, brief services, full and limited scope representation to individuals and families applying for affirmative relief before U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), the Chicago Immigration Court, the U.S. Department of State and defensive relief before the Executive Office of Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Areas of primary practice include Asylum; U Visa petitions; VAWA self-petitions, and removal defense.
Responsibilities:
Manage a caseload and provide full and limited scope legal representation
Interview eligible clients on a wide range of Immigration issues and provide advice and brief services for eligible immigrants
Participate in advocacy to address systemic issues
Participate in weekly team meetings to present new cases and reach team consensus on representation
Represent clients in applications before USCIS
Defend clients against deportation in detained and non-detained proceedings
Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff, students, and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
Work with other IWR staff members in any interdisciplinary work
Make appropriate referrals both internally and to outside agencies
Maintain accurate case files and timely record timekeeping in electronic case management system
Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable;
Conduct community education and outreach and build relationships with community partners
Participate in training to agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services and rights impacting vulnerable people
Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising as needed
Handle other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorney and the Director
Salary and Benefits:
This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.
The budgeted salary range for this position is $69,433-$77,090, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Bilingual Staff Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
Time Off: 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
19 paid holidays, including four (4) floating holidays
Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
$50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
Monthly internet reimbursement
Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program
Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.
Bar license and in good standing with a state bar
Spanish proficiency required
Two years’ experience practicing immigration law
The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter
Applicants must have strong oral and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work well under pressure
The ideal candidate will have strong client counseling skills and be someone who genuinely enjoys interacting with clients
The successful applicant will be collegial and committed to working as part of a highly collegial team
The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve.
Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience, at least one reference must be a former supervisor. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.
Legal Aid Chicago is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.
If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at [email protected].
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding an application status. We will contact candidates who are selected for the next stage of the hiring process.
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