Paralegal - Immigrants & Workers' Rights (Immigration)

Legal Aid Chicago•Chicago, IL

20h•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 at 200 N. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position will require occasional travel to outreach activities, primarily located within the city limits. Position Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time paralegal in our Immigrants and Workers’ Rights Practice Group (IWR). IWR includes the areas of employment, immigration, migrant farmworker, and human trafficking law. IWR’s four teams work both independently and in an interdisciplinary manner when these areas of law intersect. This paralegal position will be on the immigration team. This position will involve providing outreach, screening, information, advice and referrals to immigrants in Illinois, and will work directly on client applications for benefits with USCIS. The paralegal will report to a supervising attorney.

Requirements

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.
Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, great client counseling skills and genuine desire to interact 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 community we serve
Fluency in Spanish is a requirement
Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure, independently and as part of a team

Nice To Haves

Experience with legal case software is a plus

Responsibilities

Interview clients and conduct initial fact gathering
Provide advice and referrals to individuals
Provide follow-up with clients about their cases
Input client data into agency database
Carry out work in a client-centered and trauma-informed manner
Participate in weekly team meetings to present new cases and discuss team development
Assist attorneys with administrative tasks
Work collaboratively with supervisory attorneys and staff attorneys
Maintain knowledge of the case acceptance criteria of IWR and other Legal Aid Chicago practice groups to facilitate appropriate internal referrals
Attend training and maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues
Maintain case files and accurate case notes and timekeeping in electronic case management system
Track data related to grants and assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable
Partner and collaborate with other Legal Aid Chicago staff, as well as staff from partner agencies
Maintain proficiency with equipment and technology necessary to perform the duties of the position
Other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorney or Director.

Benefits

Bilingual Paralegals 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