Paralegal - Children & Families

Legal Aid Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•$46,675 - $51,428•Hybrid

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, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events in the greater Chicago area. The Children & Families Practice Group represents survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in protective order and domestic relations cases against their abusers, advocates for students whose right to an education is threatened, and defends parents against unwarranted intrusions by the State into their right to parent. Position: Legal Aid Chicago has one opening for full-time paralegal in the Children & Families Practice Group with an immediate start date. This position will report to a Supervising Attorney.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree strongly preferred.
Applicants must have excellent oral and written skills.
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.
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 community we serve.
Good organizational and information-gathering skills as well as strong and versatile computer skills are essential.
Applicant must have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Spanish fluency strongly preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Interview survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to intake new cases
Present new cases at weekly case acceptance meetings
Provide litigation support to attorneys in all stages of litigation including, but not limited to, drafting and responding to discovery and drafting of pleadings
Participate in outreach and trainings at social service and other community agencies
Provide advice and referral to individuals not accepted as clients and make appropriate referrals to additional or alternative legal services and to necessary social services
Attend trainings and maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues
Make appropriate referrals inside Legal Aid Chicago and to external partners
Assist with investigations
Track data related to grant and assist on related reporting
Assist with outreach and trainings
Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
Assist attorneys with administrative tasks and
Other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorneys and Directors.

Benefits

Bilingual staff 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
15 paid holidays and four (4) additional 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