Staff Attorney - Public ; Veterans' Rights Project

Staff Attorney - Public Benefits (Veterans' Rights Project)

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 200 N. 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.

Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Staff Attorney in Public Benefits Practice Group to work within the Veterans’ Rights Project. This position reports to a Supervisory Attorney.

• Maintain a caseload of individual cases representing clients before the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Illinois Department of Human Services and in state and federal courts
• Act as a subject matter expert within PBPG concerning Veterans Benefits and civil legal issues affecting veterans, especially housing and housing insecurity
• Interview eligible clients on issues handled within the practice group and provide advice and brief service in appropriate cases
• Participate in weekly team meetings to present new cases and reach team consensus on representation
• Work with other practice group staff in interdisciplinary work
• Maintain knowledge in other areas of law handled by Legal Aid Chicago to ensure that clients’ legal needs are identified and met in those areas
• Participate in complex litigation or advocacy to address systemic issues
• Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff, students and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
• Help organize and operate our intake system and veterans’ clinic and work with pro bono attorneys
• Collaborate on projects that could involve outreach to community groups, developing new strategies for serving our clients, or address systemic issues through litigation, negotiation or advocacy, especially to those programs affecting Veterans with housing insecurity.
• Participate in community outreach and support legal training and community education for clients and community partners that serve veterans
• Maintain case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable
• Handle other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and the Director.

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.

• Applicants must…