Intake Attorney - Housing
About The Position
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. The Housing Practice Group (HPG) seeks to ensure that tenants live in decent, safe, and sanitary housing, free from discrimination, through litigation, negotiation, and advocacy in various venues. HPG defends tenants – mostly subsidized housing residents - against unwarranted evictions and represents individuals and families who are facing the termination of their housing subsidies. Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks two full-time Intake Attorneys for our Housing Practice Group (HPG). These positions primarily involve interviewing tenants in eviction court, issue-spotting, and providing legal advice and brief services. The intake attorney screens applicants for eligibility, assesses their legal issues, and provides other support.
Requirements
- Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in Illinois or be licensed in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar
- Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills and genuinely enjoy interacting with clients
- The successful applicant will be collegial and 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
- 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 communities we serve
- Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure
- Applicants must have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team
Responsibilities
- Conduct court-based intakes for clients facing eviction
- Interview clients remotely to gather facts and analyze their eviction cases
- Collect and review documents and provide legal advice, counseling, and brief services for clients such as drafting letters, contacting third parties to negotiate potential settlements
- Review electronic case files
- Provide legal consultation to tenants
- Summarize and present cases at staff meetings
- Track data related to grant administration and assist with related reporting
- Maintain case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system
- Participate in trainings to agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services and rights impacting low-income and other vulnerable people
- Handle other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and leadership team
Benefits
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
