Visiting Staff Attorney - UI HEAL Medical-Legal Partnership, Department of Medicine

Position Summary The Visiting Staff Attorney for UI HEAL provides direct civil legal services as part of an innovative medical-legal partnership (MLP) embedded within the Department of Medicine. UI HEAL integrates legal advocacy into healthcare settings to address health-harming legal needs related to social determinants of health. The Staff Attorney delivers legal representation to patients and families served by the Lifespan Disability Clinic and Two-Generation Clinic, collaborates closely with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, supervises law student externs, and supports education, outreach, and program evaluation activities. The position also contributes to referral coordination, healthcare provider training, and the development of partnerships that improve health equity and access to justice. Duties & Responsibilities Provide direct legal representation to patients in civil legal matters impacting health, including housing, public benefits, education, disability rights, workplace accommodations, guardianships, discrimination, and retaliation. Represent clients in administrative proceedings, mediations, negotiations, and court proceedings as appropriate. Identify health-harming legal needs in collaboration with healthcare providers and clinical staff. Perform client intake and conflict checks to establish attorney-client relationships when appropriate. Conduct legal research, analyze applicable law, and develop case strategies. Maintain and manage legal matters using approved case management systems. Provide brief services, information, or advice, or make strategic referrals when matters fall outside the scope of UI HEAL. Evaluate cases for in-house handling or external referral. Develop and maintain relationships with legal aid organizations, pro bono partners, and community-based service providers. Respond to "curbside consults" from clinicians regarding legal issues affecting patients. Participate in clinical team meetings with physicians, social workers, community health workers, and other staff. Integrate legal advocacy into patient care planning and care coordination. Serve as a subject matter expert on legal determinants of health within clinical settings. Design, implement, and oversee a legal externship or trainee experience for UIC law students. Develop training materials and orientation resources to support experiential learning. Supervise, mentor, and evaluate law student externs and trainees. Develop and deliver trainings for healthcare providers, trainees, and staff on identifying legal needs and making appropriate referrals. Promote engagement with UI HEAL across clinical sites and community partners. Maintain accurate case documentation and program data in compliance with institutional policies. Participate in program evaluation, quality improvement, and reporting initiatives. Collect and report qualitative and quantitative outcomes related to medical-legal partnership activities. Assist with grant-supported activities, reporting, and identification of funding opportunities as directed. Attend departmental and institutional meetings as required. Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school. Licensed to practice law in Illinois or eligible for admission. Experience in civil legal services, public interest law, or a related field. Demonstrated ability to provide client-centered legal representation. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience with medical-legal partnerships or health-related legal services. Expertise in housing, public benefits, education, disability rights, or related areas of law. Experience supervising students or junior attorneys. Experience working in interdisciplinary or clinical settings. Graduate degree in public health, social work, or a related field (e.g., MPH, MSW). Benefits This position is eligible for benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. The University of Illinois System complies with required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. Posting Close Date: June 3, 2026. Location: Chicago, IL, USA. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Illinois Chicago