Staff Attorney - Elder & Disability - Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services

Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services
101 N. Wacker Dr.
17th Fl.
Chicago , IL 60606
United States

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.

We are now hiring a full-time Staff Attorney to join the Legal Aid Society's Elder and Disability Justice Initiative at our Headquarters office.

• Provides legal representation to clients who are elderly and/or living with a disability in cases including but not limited to orders of protection, financial exploitation related matters, guardianship, and housing matters. Works closely with MFS's Adult Protective Services program.
• Conduct outreach and community education events at partner organizations 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

• 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.
• 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.
• Travel between sites for community work is required.
• Driving to work in personal vehicle is not required but must have access to public transportation or other form of reliable transportation.

SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $70,000 and $75,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

• 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.

Full-time