Staff Attorney - Medical-Legal Partnerships

Legal Aid Chicago•Chicago, IL

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to join its Medical-Legal Partnerships (MLP) Group. The group brings together legal, medical, and public health professionals to address social determinants of health and interrupt cycles of inequity for vulnerable populations. It works with hospitals and health care providers to address social determinants that negatively affect client-patients’ health and well-being. The group’s partnerships include Health Forward/Salud Adelante with the Cook County Health and Hospitals System and Recovery Legal Care with the University of Chicago Hospital. The MLP Group handles a broad range of legal issues, with primary emphasis on public benefits and related stability concerns. This includes advocacy involving SNAP, TANF, AABD Cash, Medicaid, and other Illinois Department of Human Services programs; SSI and disability benefits advocacy with the Social Security Administration, including appeals; Crime Victims Compensation matters; and collaboration with other practice groups on related legal issues. The position is based in a hybrid work environment and requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois. It may require travel to court or outreach events, and some client services are provided on-site at hospitals or health clinics. The position is covered by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320 collective bargaining agreement. Compensation is based on paid experience under the CBA salary scale; the budgeted range is $70,822–$77,872 for 0–10 years of paid, credited experience.

Requirements

Meet one of the following criteria: be licensed to practice law in Illinois; be licensed in another state and eligible to waive into the Illinois bar; or have a J.D., have passed the Illinois bar, and be awaiting admission.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn and use new technology.
Highly developed organizational and case management skills.
Trauma-informed client counseling skills and the ability to manage vicarious trauma.
Demonstrated commitment to and experience with communities impacted by poverty and systemic inequity.
Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary and team-based settings.
Ability to communicate legal concepts effectively to non-legal audiences, including through regular presentations to medical partners.

Nice To Haves

Spanish language proficiency.
Illinois bar admission is preferred.
Relevant experience, particularly direct experience with communities served or perspectives that help the organization understand and serve its clients better.

Responsibilities

Maintain a caseload of individual client matters, emphasizing public benefits and related administrative advocacy.
Interview and counsel clients on a wide range of legal issues, providing advice and brief services where appropriate, including some services on-site at hospitals or health clinics.
Represent clients before administrative agencies, including the Social Security Administration and Illinois Department of Human Services, and handle court-based litigation when it arises.
Develop and maintain expertise in health-harming legal needs affecting MLP client populations.
Collaborate with colleagues across Legal Aid Chicago practice groups to provide holistic legal services.
Engage in more complex litigation or advocacy efforts addressing systemic issues, with supervision and co-counseling support.
Partner with medical, care coordination, and behavioral health teams to support the Medical-Legal Partnership service model.
Participate in outreach, legal trainings, and education for health care partners.
Assist with data collection, reporting, and quality improvement activities related to partner and funder requirements.
Maintain accurate case records and timekeeping in Legal Aid Chicago’s electronic case management system.
Participate in other legal aid practice activities, including permissible legislative or administrative advocacy, speaking engagements, and other duties as assigned.

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 floating holidays.
Twelve weeks of paid parental leave at 100% of 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.