Supervisory Attorney - Immigrants & Workers' Rights (Farmworker)

Legal Aid Chicago•Chicago, IL

7d•$89,704 - $99,704•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. Overview: Legal Aid Chicago’s Immigrants & Workers’ Rights Practice Group (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 overlap. IWR’s primary work is to provide direct services to clients in Cook County and can provide services statewide legal assistance as well. Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Supervisory Attorney to supervise our farmworker legal services team. The position will supervise a team of paralegals who conduct statewide outreach to farmworkers, both domestic, migrant, and those working in the U.S. on special visas. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events. The successful applicant will be highly collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and an understanding of the vulnerabilities of agricultural workers.

Requirements

Illinois law license or able to waive into Illinois bar
At least four years of experience in a farmworker program or relevant experience is preferred
Knowledge of employment, immigration, or migrant farmworker law
Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational and interpersonal skills, and great client counseling skills
Spanish fluency required

Responsibilities

Maintain a caseload of individual cases representing clients in the following areas: wage and hour violations, housing conditions, employment contract law, health and safety violations, pesticide law, immigration-related remedies, and other related legal issues
Supervise paralegals on cases and conducting statewide outreach to farmworkers, including editing written work, providing guidance on case strategy, conducting regular case reviews, providing training in substantive areas of law as well as litigation skills, completing performance evaluations, and overseeing professional development
Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system and ensure supervised staff do as well
Maintain knowledge in other areas of law handled by Legal Aid Chicago to ensure that clients’ legal needs are identified and met in those areas
Participate in complex litigation or advocacy to address systemic issues for farmworkers
Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago supervisors, staff, students, and volunteers
Develop strategies for outreach to farmworkers
Engage in outreach and engage with stakeholders in the farmworker community, and represent Legal Aid Chicago on relevant community task forces, committees, or other government or non-profit bodies connected with our work.
Participate in training to agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services and rights impacting low income persons
Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising
Manage grant reports and grant compliance, as needed
Other duties as assigned

Benefits

Bilingual Supervisory Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
Time Off: 21 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 the salary after six months of employment
401(a) retirement plan with an employer contribution after 3 months of employment
$100,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
Chicago Bar Association Membership, at no cost
Reimbursement of annual ARDC registration fees
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