Staff Attorney - Children & Families - Legal Aid Chicago

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Staff Attorney - Children & Families

Organization

Legal Aid Chicago

200 N LaSalle St

Suite 1400

Chicago, IL 60601

United States

Remote Or Telecommuting:

Some remote allowed

Visit website

Job Description

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 200 N. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois or Northwest Indiana. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

The Children & Families Practice Group advocates for students whose right to an education is threatened, represents survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in protective order and domestic relations cases against their abusers, and defends parents against unwarranted intrusions by the State into their right to parent.

Position: Legal Aid Chicago has an opening for a full-time staff attorney in the Children & Families Practice Group. This position will report to a Supervisory Attorney or Director.

Responsibilities Include:

• Maintain an individual caseload of family law and family defense cases including:
• Protective order proceedings in the Domestic Violence Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County;
• Divorce and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities proceedings in the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County;
• DCFS investigations and related legal services to prevent an indicated finding and/or the filing of a petition in juvenile court
• DCFS administrative hearings seeking to expunge wrongful indicated findings of abuse/neglect; and
• Provide advice, brief services, and in court representation to survivors at risk of gun violence at our help desk at the Domestic Violence Courthouse
• Interview eligible clients and provide advice and brief services when appropriate at our neighborhood community clinics and courthouse-based help desks
• Develop and maintain knowledge in a specialized area of law and competence in related areas of law
• Work collaboratively with other Legal Aid Chicago staff and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
• Training service providers and community groups about legal rights impacting low-income people
• 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
• Attend training and maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues
• Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising as needed
• Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable
• Maintain accurate case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and Directors
  
  

Qualifications

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.

Qualifications:

• Applicants with a J.D. degree 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 are preferred but law students or others sitting for the Illinois bar exam in July 2026 are welcome to apply.
• Spanish fluency strongly preferred.
• The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in providing advocacy in the areas of gender-based violence, domestic relations, family defense, or education law.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and client counseling skills are necessary
• The ability to work well independently and as part of a team is important. The successful applicant will 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
  
  

Pay scale and benefits

Pay scale and benefits

This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $70,822-$77,872, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

Legal Aid Chicago Offers a Comprehensive Benefits Package, Including:

• Bilingual Staff Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
• Time Off: 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 19 paid holidays, including four (4) floating holidays
• Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
• $50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
• Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
• Monthly internet stipend
• Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program
  
  

Position type

Full-time