Description:

Make a Meaningful Impact. Support Families. Build Your Career.

We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Junior Attorney to join our growing special needs planning practice. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities and their families navigate important legal and life planning decisions.

At Clancy & Associates, we do more than practice law—we bring peace of mind to families navigating complex legal, financial, and life-planning decisions for their loved ones with disabilities. Our firm specializes in special needs planning, estate planning, and guardianship, with a strong focus on client-centered service and community support.

About the role:
As a Junior Attorney, you will work closely with our attorneys and legal staff to assist families in obtaining guardianship, developing an action plan, and drafting special needs trusts and estate planning documents. This position offers substantial client contact, courtroom experience in uncontested matters, and opportunities to develop expertise in a highly specialized area of law. This position is open to applicants located in the Chicago metropolitan area only.

Key Responsibilities:

Meet with clients to gather information, explain legal procedures, and guide families through the guardianship process.
Manage uncontested guardianship matters from intake through court representation and approval.
Draft guardianship petitions, pleadings, orders, annual reports, and related court filings.
Prepare estate planning and special needs planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts.
Assist families in understanding government benefit considerations, including SSI and Medicaid eligibility.
Maintain accurate case management records and ensure all deadlines are met.
Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and support staff to provide exceptional client service.
Participate in community outreach, educational workshops, and speaking engagements as opportunities arise.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
2 years of courtroom experience
Licensed to practice law in Illinois, or awaiting Illinois bar admission.
Strong legal research, writing, and drafting skills.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal technology / project management platforms.
Experience in guardianship, probate, estate planning, elder law, or special needs planning is preferred but not required.
Personal or professional experience supporting individuals with disabilities is strongly considered.