Staff Attorney Incarcerated Survivors

ASCEND JUSTICE; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Staff Attorney for their Incarcerated Survivors Project. In this impactful role, you will provide vital legal representation and services to survivors of gender-based violence who are currently or formerly incarcerated. Your responsibilities will include advocating for clients in family law matters, managing a caseload, and ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support. This position offers a hybrid work environment with opportunities for travel throughout Chicago and Illinois. If you are passionate about social justice and have a strong legal background, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Benefits

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Illinois with at least two years of legal experience.
• Experience working with incarcerated clients or survivors of gender-based violence.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation for incarcerated survivors in civil court.
• Manage a caseload and supervise volunteers including attorneys and interns.

Skills

Legal representation

Trauma-informed care

Communication skills

Time management

Crisis communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

40-hour Domestic Violence training

Tools

Standard office equipment

Job description

Benefits:

1. 401(k)
2. Dental insurance
3. Health insurance
4. Paid time off
5. Parental leave

Supervised by: Senior Attorney – Incarcerated Survivors

Status: Full-time

ASCEND JUSTICE is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney in the Incarcerated Survivors Project. This role involves providing a range of direct representation and other legal services to survivors of gender-based violence who are either currently or formerly incarcerated. Our Incarcerated Survivors team assists people inside of women’s prisons/jails and other forms of correctional control, as well as limited related services for their family members. The team provides advocacy and legal services related to parental defense, family law, child placement issues, responses to domestic violence, and barriers to release from incarceration or program placements. This role will mainly focus on the family law needs of incarcerated survivors.

Most Ascend Justice staff work a hybrid schedule that includes some work from home and some work in our offices, court, or other locations; these arrangements are subject to change. This position will also include some travel throughout the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. An ideal candidate will have prior legal experience working with survivors impacted by gender-based violence and/or incarceration and/or family law.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Provide high quality representation for incarcerated survivors of domestic violence seeking remedies in civil court for family law, orders of protection, or other civil related matters.
2. Provide a variety of advice and brief service appointments, including preparation of pro se documents.
3. Manage a caseload of ongoing cases, including effective representation of clients in contested hearings.
4. When necessary, travel to women’s prisons or Cook County Jail to meet with clients in person or give presentations on legal services.
5. Deliver services according to principles of trauma-informed care.
6. Perform intake functions, interviewing potential clients to evaluate cases for representation.
7. Maintain client files, noting all deadlines, communications, and other relevant information.
8. Coordinate with the agency’s Client Support Coordinator and other colleagues to ensure that the client receives seamless, holistic services.
9. Supervise volunteers including attorneys, students, and interns.

Other Responsibilities:

1. Actively participate in required staff meetings and trainings.
2. Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks and participating in professional organizations.
3. Protect the organization by keeping information confidential.
4. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Work Environment:

The courthouse and offices are fully accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required and those may not necessarily be fully accessible. The employee must be willing and able to travel throughout the state of Illinois, including to prisons and other carceral settings. A Driver’s License is strongly preferred. Evening, weekend, and overnight work/travel may occasionally be required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer. Smoke- and drug-free environment.

Qualifications:

1. Passionate about Ascend Justice’s mission.
2. Licensed to practice law in Illinois.
3. Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training.
4. At least two years of legal experience is preferred, working in domestic relations, child welfare, or a related field, or working with incarcerated clients.
5. Experience working with incarcerated populations or lived experience preferred.
6. Ability to develop and implement short and long-term litigation strategies.
7. Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training.
8. Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
9. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations.
10. Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based or intimate partner violence.
11. Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment.
12. Ability to communicate effectively with people in crisis.
13. Strong written and oral communication skills.
14. Flexible, self-motivated.
15. Strong attention to detail.
16. Excellent communication and time management skills.
17. 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.

Flexible work from home options available.