Staff Attorney/Senior Attorney, Temp - Cabrini Green Legal Aid
Chicago, IL 60603
About the Job
About Cabrini Green Legal Aid
Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) was established in 1973 to serve the legal needs of Chicago"s Cabrini Green public housing community. Since then, CGLA has grown beyond a single neighborhood to become a statewide leader in holistic legal services, information, advocacy, and resources exclusively for low-income individuals negatively impacted by the criminal legal system.
CGLA is distinguished among legal aid service providers by our expertise in legal matters related to the consequences of the criminal legal system. Any engagement with the criminal legal system can greatly disrupt an individual, family, and community"s quality of life. Since 2014, CGLA has been the sole legal aid services provider focused on these adverse impacts.
Our work includes criminal records, criminal defense, housing law, and family law. We provide direct legal services and provide information and resources to other legal aid organizations, pro bono attorneys, and the general public. We further support our clients with wraparound social services from our social workers. We also advocate for policy reform as informed by our legal services and the lived experiences of our Leadership Council, an Advisory Group made up of former CGLA clients and community members directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
CGLA exists to remove barriers to equity in the criminal legal system, working towards a more just and equitable criminal legal system.
NO PHONE CALLS OR RECRUITING FIRMS, PLEASE!
Position Overview
The primary responsibilities of this attorney position include implementing CGLA's priorities in their criminal records practice and representing clients in criminal records-related matters through expungement and sealing, health care waivers, certificates, and other legal remedies. This position also trains and assists fellows, interns, volunteers, and/or attorneys to assure that clients receive quality legal services and representation. Attorneys are responsible for completing these duties while providing holistic legal services to their clients by collaborating with other CGLA program areas. Position level will be commensurate with experience.
Note: This is a temporary position. The duration of this role shall initially be for a period of 6 – 9 months, with the potential for permanent based on department needs and performance.
The salary range for this role will be $$65,270 – $68,900 dependant on experience.
Essential Duties of the Role
- Provide direct and brief legal services to CGLA clients in criminal records matters, maintaining a manageable caseload proportionate to other responsibilities.
- Cultivate and manage relationships with workforce development agencies and other community-based organizations that have formal partnerships with CGLA to provide holistic legal services to clients.
- Represent and advocate for partner clients in civil or criminal legal matters, assisting with housing law, family law, and criminal law cases as co-counsel with supervisory approval.
- Represent self-represented litigants as a friend of the court during court hearings at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building and other courthouses.
- Work with attorneys, volunteers, and community-based organizations in the provision of advice, support, trainings, and relief under the IL Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
- Schedule and conduct periodic visits to partner organizations to conduct staff training and on-site legal services at the agreed upon frequency defined in written agreements with partner agencies.
- Oversee the work of volunteer attorneys and law students at CGLA's Criminal Records Help Desks at the Daley Center and Markham Courthouse.
- Provide advice, support, and training at community and statewide criminal records summits and at community outreach and educational events.
- Collaborate with assigned Client Support Services team member to improve overall outcomes for clients who present social services needs according to screening criteria.
- Assist the Pro Bono Team in completing follow-up work for self-represented litigants.
- Assist with developing educational materials relating to criminal records matters.
- Conduct classes for clients, volunteers, courts, partner organizations and other personnel as assigned.
- Attend CLE classes and community meetings on relevant legal and social justice topics.
- Assist in onboarding and training new staff, interns, fellows, volunteers and/or attorneys and reviewing their work product to ensure quality legal representation.
- Maintain up-to-date client information in CGLA's case management system to ensure accurate data collection and statistical tracking, including timely reporting of outcomes.
- Work with the department supervisor to ensure all annual program goals are met.
- Conduct performance appraisals and quarterly check-ins with direct reports and assigned fellows. (Senior Only)
- Ensure timely, consistent, and detailed performance feedback is provided to each direct report; ensure direct reports perform at satisfactory levels. (Senior Only)
- Provide resources and support to address staff's needs, identify and secure professional development opportunities for staff, provide coaching and supervision, and manage and resolve conflict. (Senior Only)
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education
- Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school.
- Licensed to practice law in Illinois by date of employment.
Experience
- 0 to 5 years of relevant practice experience, preferably in criminal law and/or criminal records advocacy.
- Demonstrated commitment to the legal aid and/or non-profit community.
Required Skills
- Experience with Microsoft Word.
- Strong communication and leadership skills.
- Self-driven, highly energetic and innovative.
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff, interns and volunteers.
- Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and produce quality results.
- Superior interpersonal skills; comfortable working with a diverse population.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally.
- Exemplary organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
Recommended Skills(Senior Only)
- Experience with legal case management systems.
- Project management with multiple stakeholders.
- Past supervision experience.
- Familiarity with grant applications and reporting requirements.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervisory responsibilities may be assigned depending on the position level; senior attorneys may supervise staff attorneys and other employees as assigned.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- Opportunities for professional development and continuing legal education.
- Collaborative and supportive work environment focused on excellence and integrity.
Required Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, 40 hours per week. NOTE: Non-traditional hours – occasional weekends and evenings – are required.
Physical Requirements
-Remain stationary in an office environment for long periods of time.
-Communicate clearly so other can understand, and understand communication from others.
-Manage high levels of mental stress
-Effectively move around in a typical office environment
-Daily operation and use of a computer
-Occasionally move up to 25 pounds.
Travel Requirements
Regular travel to the Richard J. Daley Center, the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse, and the Suburban Municipal District Courthouses is required. Travel to other Illinois jurisdictions and Springfield may be included. Travel to external Workforce Development and Anti-Violence Organizations throughout the Chicagoland area is also required.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a typical office environment. Must be able to work in an open office setting with moderate noise levels. CGLA employees work in a hybrid model, both in-office and remote.
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
#LI-hybrid
The pay range for this role is:
65,270 - 68,900 USD per year(USA)
PI250256665
Source : Cabrini Green Legal Aid