Supervisory Attorney Public Benefits

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 120 S. LaSalle Street is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

The Public Benefits Practice Group represents clients seeking benefits from the Illinois Department of Human Services Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This position will support all aspects of our advocacy work with an emphasis on Department of Human Services and Social Security Administration benefits. The position reports to the Director of the Public Benefits Practice Group.

Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Supervisory Attorney in the Public Benefits Practice Group.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a caseload of individual cases representing clients before the Social Security Administration and the Illinois Department of Human Services and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and in state and federal courts
• Supervise attorneys and other staff in the Public Benefits Practice Group who handle a full caseload in the above areas of law including editing their written work providing guidance on case strategy co-counseling complex cases conducting regular case reviews providing training in substantive areas of law as well as litigation skills completing performance evaluations and overseeing professional development
• Engage in systemic advocacy designed to have a lasting measurable effect on our client community
• Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system and ensure staff do as well
• Engage in community outreach addressing issues affecting people living with chronic medical conditions
• Work with External Relations to administer and report on grants that support the work of the Public Benefits Practice Group
• Work collaboratively with supervisors staff interns and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
• Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication permissible legislative and administrative advocacy media relations and fundraising
• Other duties as assigned by the Associate Director or Director

The budgeted salary range for this position is $89704 - $99704 which reflects an applicant with a law school graduation date between 2020 and 2010.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 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
• $100000 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

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 be licensed to practice law in Illinois or licensed in another state (and able to waive into the Illinois bar or be willing to sit for the next Illinois bar)
• Strong oral and written communication skills highly developed organizational skills and great client counseling skills and be someone who genuinely enjoys interacting with clients
• Knowledge of and experience with public benefits issues should be highlighted in the cover letter and resume
• 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 applicants 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
• Applicant must have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team

To Apply: Submit a cover letter resume writing sample and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience at least one reference must be a former supervisor. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled.

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.

If an accommodation is needed to complete this application contact Human Resources at

Due to the high volume of applications we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding an application status. We will contact candidates who are selected for the next stage of the hiring process.