Staff Attorney - Immigrants & Workers Rights (TSAP)

Legal Aid Chicago•Chicago, IL

3h•$69,433 - $77,090•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. Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to work in the Trafficking Survivor Assistance Project (TSAP) within the Immigrants & Workers’ Rights Practice Group (IWR). IWR includes the areas of employment, immigration, migrant farmworker, and human trafficking law. IWR’s four teams work independently and in an interdisciplinary manner, when these areas of law intersect. This position works collaboratively within a supportive team of attorneys and paralegals and reports to an experienced Supervisory Attorney. This role provides the opportunity to collaborate with survivors of human trafficking, with a focus on labor trafficking, immigration law, and victim advocacy. TSAP prides itself in trauma-informed, client-led, and wrap around advocacy; advice, brief services, full and limited scope representation to individuals and families applying for affirmative relief before U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of State, and defensive relief before the Executive Office of Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals; and victim advocacy for survivors. Areas of primary practice include T visas and T visa-based adjustment of status applications, however, the position also includes representation in a diversity of immigration applications and advocacy for collateral needs, such as victim representation, social work and public benefits.

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.
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
Licensed to practice law in Illinois;
Licensed to practice law in another state and eligible to waive into the Illinois bar; or
A law school graduate who has taken or will take the July 2025 Illinois bar exam and is eligible for a 711 license while awaiting results.
Applicants must demonstrate professional working proficiency in Spanish
All applicants must have at least two years’ experience as a practicing attorney, with a strong preference for immigration law and/or legal support to trafficking victims/ witnesses involved in cases being prosecuted by law enforcement.
Preferred experience includes advocacy for victims throughout the criminal investigation/case, including accompanying the survivor to law enforcement interviews, helping to seek restitution, and appearing as the victim representative in court.

Nice To Haves

Possess strong oral and written communication skills, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to work well under pressure
Demonstrate strong client counseling skills based in a trauma informed approach
Be collegial and committed to working collaboratively within a team
Work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers, and the community we serve
Manage an independent caseload efficiently, ensuring internal and government deadlines are met

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload and provide full and limited scope legal representation
Interview eligible clients on a wide range of Immigration issues and provide advice and brief services for eligible immigrants with a focus on identifying trafficking
Participate in advocacy to address systemic issues
Participate in weekly team meetings to present new cases and reach team consensus on representation
Represent clients in applications before USCIS, DOS, and EOIR in detained and non-detained proceedings
Represent and advocate for victims
Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff, students, and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
Work with other IWR staff members in any interdisciplinary work
Make appropriate referrals inside the organization and to external partners
Maintain accurate case files and timely record timekeeping in electronic case management system
Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable
Conduct community education outreach and build relationships with community partners
Participate in training agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services and rights impacting vulnerable people
Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising as needed
Manage other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorney and the Director

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