Staff Attorney - Children & Families

Legal Aid Chicago•Chicago, IL

7d•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 requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois or Northwest Indiana. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events. The Children & Families Practice Group advocates for students whose right to an education is threatened, represents survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in protective order and domestic relations cases against their abusers, and defends parents against unwarranted intrusions by the State into their right to parent. Position : Legal Aid Chicago has an opening for a full-time staff attorney in the Children & Families Practice Group. This position will report to a Supervisory Attorney or Director.

Requirements

Applicants with a J.D. degree licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois or licensed to practice law in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar are preferred but law students or others sitting for the Illinois bar exam in July 2026 are welcome to apply.
Spanish fluency strongly preferred.
The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in providing advocacy in the areas of gender-based violence, domestic relations, family defense, or education law.
Strong oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and client counseling skills are necessary
The ability to work well independently and as part of a team is important.
The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty
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

Nice To Haves

Spanish fluency strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain an individual caseload of family law and family defense cases including: Protective order proceedings in the Domestic Violence Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County; Divorce and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities proceedings in the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County; DCFS investigations and related legal services to prevent an indicated finding and/or the filing of a petition in juvenile court DCFS administrative hearings seeking to expunge wrongful indicated findings of abuse/neglect; and
Provide advice, brief services, and in court representation to survivors at risk of gun violence at our help desk at the Domestic Violence Courthouse
Interview eligible clients and provide advice and brief services when appropriate at our neighborhood community clinics and courthouse-based help desks
Develop and maintain knowledge in a specialized area of law and competence in related areas of law
Work collaboratively with other Legal Aid Chicago staff and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
Training service providers and community groups about legal rights impacting low-income people
Collaborate on projects that could involve outreach to community groups, developing new strategies for serving our clients, or address systemic issues through litigation, negotiation, or advocacy
Attend training and maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues
Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising as needed
Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable
Maintain accurate case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system
Other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and Directors

Benefits

Bilingual Staff Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
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 stipend
Eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program