What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney - Family Law position at ASCEND JUSTICE?
Benefits:
- FSA Health, Dependent Care, and Commute Plan
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Training & development
Supervised by: Director, Family Law Program
Status: Full-time
Essential Responsibilities
Client Services (approximately 95% of the position)
- Provide high-quality representation for survivors of domestic violence seeking remedies in the Domestic Relations Division.
- Manage a case load of ongoing Domestic Relations cases, including effective representation of clients in contested hearings.
- Deliver services according to principles of trauma-informed care.
- Perform intake functions, interviewing potential clients to evaluate cases for representation.
- Maintain client files, noting all deadlines, communications, and other relevant information.
- Coordinate with the agency’s Client Support Coordinators and other colleagues to ensure that the client receives seamless, holistic services.
Volunteers (approximately 5% of the position)
- Supervise volunteers, including attorneys, students, and student interns, as needed.
Other Responsibilities
- Actively participate in required staff meetings and trainings.
- Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks and participating in professional organizations.
- Protect the organization by keeping information confidential.
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Work Environment
- This position is approximately 40% in person, 60% remote, but these proportions are subject to change.
- Courthouse and offices are fully accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required and those may not necessarily be fully accessible.
- Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required.
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer.
- Smoke- and drug-free environment.
Qualifications
- Licensed to practice law in Illinois; or the ability to become licensed in Illinois in the near term
- 1-3 years of experience preferred
- Bilingual in Spanish/English Required, including the ability to interview and represent clients with limited or no English-speaking abilities
- Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training
- Litigation and family law experience preferred
- Ability to develop and implement short and long-term litigation strategies
- Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
- Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
- Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based or intimate partner violence
- Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment
- Ability to communicate effectively with people in crisis
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent communication and time management skills
- Sense of humor
Ascend Justice is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. Ascend Justice does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Ascend Justice is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team. Applicants/clients wishing to lodge a complaint about discrimination in the provision of services can do so by contacting the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. The ICJIA nondiscrimination policy can be found on the ICJIA website at http://www.icjia.org/grants/grant-resources. Applicants can also send complaints via e-mail to CJA.CivilRightsOfficer@illinois.gov
Flexible work from home options available.
Salary : $62,500 - $72,500