Closing Date: 3rd June, 2026

Description:

Position Summary:
The Visiting Staff Attorney for UI HEAL provides direct civil legal services as part of an innovative medical-legal partnership (MLP) embedded within the Department of Medicine. UI HEAL integrates legal advocacy into healthcare settings to address health-harming legal needs related to social determinants of health.

The Staff Attorney delivers legal representation to patients and families served by the Lifespan Disability Clinic and Two-Generation Clinic, collaborates closely with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, supervises law student externs, and supports education, outreach, and program evaluation activities. The position also contributes to referral coordination, healthcare provider training, and the development of partnerships that improve health equity and access to justice.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Legal Services and Representation • Provide direct legal representation to patients in civil legal matters impacting health, including housing, public benefits, education (IEPs and 504 plans), disability rights, workplace accommodations, guardianships, discrimination, retaliation, and related issues. • Represent clients in administrative proceedings, mediations, negotiations, and court proceedings as appropriate. • Identify health-harming legal needs in collaboration with healthcare providers and clinical staff. • Perform client intake and conflict checks to establish attorney–client relationships when appropriate. • Conduct legal research, analyze applicable law, and develop case strategies. • Maintain and manage legal matters using approved case management systems. • Provide brief services, information, and advice, or make strategic referrals when matters fall outside the scope of UI HEAL.
Referral and Partnership Coordination • Evaluate cases for in-house handling or external referral. • Develop and maintain relationships with legal aid organizations, pro bono partners, and community-based service providers. • Manage and strengthen referral networks to ensure continuity of care for patients. • Respond to “curbside consults” from clinicians regarding legal issues affecting patients.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration • Participate in clinical team meetings with physicians, social workers, community health workers, and other staff. • Integrate legal advocacy into patient care planning and care coordination. • Serve as a subject matter expert on legal determinants of health within clinical settings.
Externship and Student Supervision • Design, implement, and oversee a legal externship or trainee experience for UIC law students. • Develop training materials and orientation resources to support experiential learning. • Supervise, mentor, and evaluate law student externs and trainees.
Education, Training, and Outreach • Develop and deliver trainings for healthcare providers, trainees, and staff on identifying legal needs and making appropriate referrals. • Promote engagement with UI HEAL across clinical sites and community partners.
Administrative and Program Responsibilities • Maintain accurate case documentation and program data in compliance with institutional policies. • Participate in program evaluation, quality improvement, and reporting initiatives. • Collect and report qualitative and quantitative outcomes related to medical-legal partnership activities. • Assist with grant-supported activities, reporting, and identification of funding opportunities as directed. • Attend departmental and institutional meetings as required.
Other Duties • Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in Illinois or eligible for admission.
Experience in civil legal services, public interest law, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to provide client-centered legal representation.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with medical-legal partnerships or health-related legal services.
Expertise in housing, public benefits, education, disability rights, or related areas of law.
Experience supervising students or junior attorneys.
Experience working in interdisciplinary or clinical settings.
Graduate degree in public health, social work, or a related field (e.g., MPH, MSW).

When submitting your application, applicants must include their Resume/CV and a Cover Letter.