Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they can't afford a lawyer. It's our mission to change that.
Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is seeking a Staff Attorney to join our team in the Rockford office. Staff attorneys at PSLS provide a wide range of legal services to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including low-income individuals, older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities. We focus services on legal problems that impact the ability of our clients to meet their basic human needs, including physical safety, access to healthcare, adequate housing, and financial stability. Prairie State is the only legal aid organization in the majority of our area, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal services to our clients while fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative, and rewarding, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth.
Responsibilities
Among other duties as assigned, the Staff Attorney will:
Provide legal
services
to low-income individuals
covering
a
wide range
of
legal
issues,
including housing,
family, public
benefits,
consumer, health,
education,
and other
areas
Interview applicants
for
legal
services and assess
their legal
issues with
a
focus
on
those issues that have an immediate impact
on
their basic
human needs
Provide legal
services,
including legal
research and factual
investigation, counsel
and advice,
brief
services
and document preparation, dispute resolution,
and representation
of
clients in administrative and judicial proceedings
Develop and maintain networking relationships
with local
bar associations
and with local,
state, and federal governments
and community agencies
that serve
our
client population
Conduct outreach events with client communities, including client education and intake events
at community partner
locations
Provide accurate and complete information
for
grant reporting to grant funders,
including documenting services in the case record
Actively participate in an internal
task force related to
oneor
more areas
ofour
practice
Exhibit
a
high level
of
personal
energy, organization,
and commitment to the position and the PSLS mission
Salary and
Benefits
The Staff Attorney position is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a salary competitive with similar organizations. Our Staff Attorney salary scale starts at $60,577 per year for newly licensed attorneysand increases with each year of relevant experience. PSLS is committed to providing an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to its full-time employees that includes:
Health insurance,
including the opportunity
to
qualify
fora
wellness credit
Vision insurance
403b Retirement Plan including employer contributions
Extensive training
and education program
Flex scheduling and partial remote work available
PTO
that starts at
3
weeks/year
and increases with additional years
worked
at
PSLS
Paid sick leave
6
weeks
of
paid parental leave after
one
year
of
employment
12 Paid holidays
Qualifications
Candidates
currently admitted to the practice
of
law in the State
of
Illinois
or
admitted in another state and eligible for reciprocity in Illinois are preferred.
Consideration will be given to law graduates that will be sitting for the next bar exam
Experience in trial advocacy and negotiation preferred
Strong interpersonal
skills
Excellent oral/written communication,
research skills, and computer competency
Organizational
and case management proficiency
Ability to work effectively as
a
team member
Spanish language proficiency is
preferred
but not required
Some travel is required; applicant must have a valid driver's license and/or reliable transportation
We will give preference to candidates who have experience providing services to low-income individuals
Please indicate "Staff Attorney - Rockford" in the subject line and email a letter indicating your office preference and explaining your interest and experience, your resume, three references, and a short writing sample (no more than 10 pages) to ******** . Prairie State Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity, expression, or presentation, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.
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