Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is the legal services arm of MFS. Since 1886, LAS has been working to strengthen families and ensure equal access to justice by providing free legal services to under-resourced communities, including families experiencing poverty, victims of violence and crime, and the elderly. LAS provides assistance with a wide range of case types, including domestic violence, family law, elder abuse, immigration, human trafficking, expungement/sealing, and housing. With offices in the Chicago area and Decatur, LAS serves clients in Cook County, DuPage County, and Central Illinois.

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

We are now hiring for a full-time Staff Attorney to join the Legal Aid Society's Health Housing and Economic Stability Practice Group!

SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $70,000 and $72,500 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide legal representation to clients dealing with housing issues, such as eviction defense, condition issues, preservation of subsidies, return of security deposits and other housing issues in the Chicagoland area.

• Interview clients, identify legal problems, advise clients of options, and provide legal advice, often under emotional and stressful conditions. In constant communication with large number of clients. Assess clients for other legal and supportive needs.
• Using independent judgment, handle a full caseload of varying complexity. Use advocacy, negotiation, and litigation to favorably resolve issues for clients. Draft legal documents, discovery material, agreements, and court pleadings as necessary.
• Maintain documents, data, and other information required by various funders. Ensure all case files and case data are timely and accurately updated.
• Identify systemic issues affecting communities served by LAS and participate in developing creative strategies to address them.
• Provide training, consultation, and support to agency staff in area of specialization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor AND active member of the Illinois Bar or admission within 3 months from hire.
• Relevant experience in the general practice of public interest law preferred.
• Valid driver’s license, proof of liability insurance and a good driving record.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.
• Excellent writing, recordkeeping, and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise appropriate independent judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here !

Some highlights include:

• Aetna Medical Coverage, Guardian Dental Coverage, and VSP Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!