Description:
Position: A Non-Profit Legal Service Company has an opening for a full-time Staff Attorney in the Children & Families Practice Group working specifically on education law cases. This position will report to a Supervisory Attorney. This position has a preferred early May 2024 start date, but other start dates will be considered.Responsibilities:
- Maintain an individual caseload of education law cases and provide full and effective legal representation to individuals
- Develop and maintain knowledge in a specialized area of law and competence in related areas of law
- Interview eligible clients and provide advice and brief services in appropriate cases
- Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
- Work collaboratively with other Legal Aid Chicago staff and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
- 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 trainings to service providers and community groups about legal services and rights impacting low income persons
- Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising
- Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable
- Handle other duties as necessary.
Requirements:
Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois or licensed to practice law in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar. J.D. candidates preparing to graduate and sit for the July 2024 Illinois bar exam will be considered as well.
Experience working in education law or the education field is preferred. This includes experience in special education law, school discipline, and other areas affecting K-12 students. Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and strong client counseling skills are necessary. The successful applicant will be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty. 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.
