Legal Assistant – Immigration

Illinois Legal Aid Online; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Ascend Justice is seeking a part-time administrative support staff in Chicago to assist attorneys with legal and clerical tasks. The role involves scheduling, document handling, client communication, and coordination with interpreters and translators.

The position features a hybrid work schedule (in-office and work-from-home) with on-site requirements five days a week and regular front-desk coverage. Candidates should have strong communication skills, data-entry proficiency, and trauma-informed

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• 2+ years office/legal assistant experience.
• Proficiency in Office 365 and Google Workspace.
• Willingness to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to attorneys (copying, mailing, scanning).
• Communicate with clients to schedule meetings and document pick-up/drop-off.
• Request and gather court, medical, and other legal documents.
• Schedule interpreters for in-person interpretation and assist translations.
• Assist with case management system tasks and data entry (open profiles, file prep/organize/close).
• Provide front desk coverage and handle incoming mail.

Skills

Office Admin

Data Entry

Communication

Organizational

Multitasking

Customer Service

Education

High school diploma

Some college

Tools

Office 365

Google Workspace

Job description

Ascend Justice
177 N State Street Suite 500
Chicago , IL 60601
United States

• Assist with providing administrative support to attorneys, including copying, mailing, scanning, scheduling, data entry, file organization, retrieving court documents, and other administrative tasks as assigned.
• Communicating with clients to schedule meetings and client document pick-up and drop off
• Request and gather court, medical, and/or other legal documents
• Scheduling interpreters for in-person interpretation and assisting with translation requests to outside translators, as needed.
• Assisting with case management system tasks & data entry (open profiles for return/repeat clients, prep/organize/close physical files, update client cases)
• Provide regular coverage for the office front desk, including helping with incoming mail.

Other Responsibilities

• Actively participate in required staff meetings and training.
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential.
• Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks, participating in professional organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• 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.
• Part-time/100% in-office position.
• 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.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Some college, and/or computer certification programs preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of office work or legal assistant experience
• Proficiency in Office 365 and Google Workplace required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Familiarity with various computer software and comfortable with data entry
• Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds who are in crisis
• Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based or intimate partner violence
• Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
• Sensitive listener with ability to explain complex concepts
• Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Ability to work in fast-paced legal environment
• Sense of humor
• Individuals with lived experience in Ascend Justice's areas of work are encouraged to apply

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 [e-mail]

Pay scale and benefits

Compensation: $20.00-$28.00/hour, based on years of experience

Ascend Justice's offices are currently operating on a hybrid working schedule (in-office/work from home). The schedule for this position will be expected to be on-site in the office 5/days a week.

Position type

Part-time