Staff Attorney - Joliet, IL - Prairie State Legal Services

Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they can’t afford a lawyer. It’s our mission to change that. Prairie StateLegalServices,Inc. is seeking a Staff Attorneytojoin our team in the Joliet office .Staff attorneys at PSLS provide a wide range of legal services to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including low-income individuals, older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities. Wefocus our services on legal problems thatimpacttheability ofour clients to meettheir basichuman needs,including physical safety, access to healthcare, adequatehousing,and financial stability.Prairie State is the only legal aid organization in the majority of our area, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal services to our clients while fostering a motivating, collaborative, and rewarding work environment with plenty of opportunities for professional growth. Responsibilities Among other dutiesas assigned, theStaffAttorneywill: Providelegal services tolow-incomeindividuals covering a wide range of legal issues, including housing, family,public benefits, consumer,health, education, andother areas Interviewapplicants for legal servicesand assess theirlegal issueswith a focus on thoseissuesthathaveanimmediateimpact on theirbasic human needs Providelegal services, including legal research and factual investigation, counsel and advice, brief services anddocumentpreparation,disputeresolution, and representation of clientsin administrativeand judicialproceedings Develop and maintain networking relationships withlocal barassociations andwith local, state,and federalgovernments and communityagencies thatserve our clientpopulation Conductoutreach eventswith clientcommunities,including clienteducation andintakeevents atcommunitypartner locations Provideaccurateand completeinformation for grantreporting tograntfunders, including documentingservicesin thecaserecord Activelyparticipateinan internal taskforcerelated to oneor moreareas ofour practice Exhibit a high level of personal energy,organization, and commitmentto theposition andthePSLSmission PSLS is an equal opportunity employer that strives to create a welcoming environment. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard torace, color, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, religion, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, or other characteristics protected by law. Qualifications Candidatescurrentlyadmittedto thepractice of lawinthe State of Illinois or admittedinanother stateandeligible for reciprocityinIllinois are preferred.Considerationwillbe giventolaw graduateswhowillbesittingforthe nextbar exam. Experienceintrialadvocacyand negotiation preferred Stronginterpersonal skills Organizational and case managementproficiency Abilityto work effectivelyas a teammember Sometravelis required;applicantmusthave a validdriver's license and/or reliable transportation We will givepreferenceto candidates whohaveexperienceproviding services to low-incomeindividuals Pay scale and benefits The Staff Attorney position is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a salary that is competitive with similar organizations. The salary range for the Staff Attorney position is $70,000 - $90,231 annually, with increases for each year of relevant experience. PSLS is committed to providing an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to its full-time employees that includes: Health insurance, including theopportunity to qualify fora wellnesscredit Vision insurance 403b RetirementPlanincluding employercontributions Extensivetraining and educationprogram Flexscheduling and partialremoteworkavailable PTO thatstartsat 3 weeks/year andincreaseswith additionalyears worked at PSLS 6 weeks of paid parentalleaveafter one year of employment 12 Paid holidays Position type Full-time #J-18808-Ljbffr Ascend Justice