Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.-Immigration Staff Attorney-Waukegan,IL

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. – Immigration Staff Attorney (Waukegan, IL)

Join Prairie State Legal Services, the nation’s largest nonprofit legal aid organization serving Illinois, as an Immigration Staff Attorney. We provide legal assistance to immigrants who are survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, working on a range of family and humanitarian immigration matters.

• Interview applicants for legal services and assess their legal issues with a focus on those that have an immediate impact on their basic human needs.
• Provide legal services including legal research, factual investigation, counsel and advice, brief services and document preparation, dispute resolution, and representation of clients in administrative and judicial proceedings.
• Represent clients in various types of family and humanitarian immigration matters, including U Visa, T Visa, SIJ, and VAWA self‑petitions, and in related housing, consumer, public benefits, and family law matters.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge and expertise of changing immigration law, policies, and procedures.
• Develop and maintain networking relationships with local bar associations, local, state, and federal governments, and community agencies that serve our client population.
• Conduct outreach events with client communities, including client education and intake events at community partner locations.
• Provide accurate and complete information for grant reporting to grant funders, including documenting services in the case record.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the PSLS mission.

• Competitive salary: $60,577‑$80,197 annually (based on experience).
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, including wellness credit.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Extensive training and education program.
• Paid time off starting at three weeks per year, increasing with tenure.
• Flex scheduling and partial remote work available.
• Paid sick leave and 6 weeks of paid parental leave after one year.
• 12 paid holidays.

• Admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, or eligible for Illinois reciprocity.
• Strong trial advocacy and negotiation experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication, research, and computer skills.
• Strong organizational and case‑management proficiency.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred but not required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (some travel required).
• Preference for candidates who have experience providing services to low‑income individuals.

Resumes are accepted until positions are filled. Please indicate “Waukegan Immigration Staff Attorney” in the subject line and email a letter explaining your interest and experience, a resume, three references, and a short writing sample (no more than 10 pages) to careers.

Prairie State Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.