Veterans Law Project Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney - Public Benefits (Veterans Rights Project)
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. This position requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois or Northwest Indiana. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

Position : Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Staff Attorney in Public Benefits Practice Group to work within the Veterans’ Rights Project.

Responsibilities :

Maintain a caseload of individual cases representing clients before the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Illinois Department of Human Services and in state and federal courts

Act as a subject matter expert within PBPG concerning Veterans Benefits and civil legal issues affecting veterans

Interview eligible clients on issues handled within the practice group and provide advice and brief service in appropriate cases

Participate in weekly team meetings to present new cases and reach team consensus on representation

Participate in regular clinics at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and other community-based locations

Work with other practice group staff in interdisciplinary work

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

Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff, students and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services

Help organize and operate our intake system and veterans’ clinic and work with pro bono attorneys

Collaborate on projects that could involve outreach to community groups, developing new strategies for serving our clients, or address systemic issues through litigation, negotiation or advocacy

Participate in community outreach and support legal training and community education for clients and community partners that serve veterans

Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system

Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable

Handle other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and the Director.

Salary and Benefits:

This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $70,822-$77,872, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

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 stipend

Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program

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 either be licensed to practice law in Illinois or be licensed in another state (and able to waive into the Illinois bar or be willing to sit for the next Illinois bar)

Applicant must either be a VA accredited attorney or be eligible and willing to complete steps to become one

Strong preference for applicants who have demonstrated interest or experience working with veterans.

Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills and genuinely enjoy interacting with clients

The successful applicant will be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter

The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve

Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure

Applicants must have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

Legal Aid Chicago is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.

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