Staff Attorney – Moline

Prairie State Legal Services; Moline (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,231; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403b Retirement Plan

Extensive training and education program

Flex scheduling and partial remote work

Paid time off starting at 3 weeks/year

Paid sick leave

6 weeks of paid parental leave

12 Paid holidays

Job summary

A community-focused legal service provider is seeking a Staff Attorney to join their Moline office. The role involves providing legal services to vulnerable populations, including low-income individuals and veterans. Responsibilities include assessing legal issues, conducting outreach, and preparing legal documentation. The position offers a competitive annual salary range of $70,000 - $90,231, alongside a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and paid leave. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and a commitment to social justice.

Qualifications

• Candidates admitted to the practice of law in Illinois preferred.
• Experience in trial advocacy and negotiation is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication abilities are essential.
• Proficiency in organizational and case management skills is required.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team is necessary.
• Some travel is required; must have valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services to low-income individuals across various legal issues.
• Interview applicants and assess legal issues impacting basic human needs.
• Conduct legal research and prepare documents for client representation.
• Develop relationships with community agencies and bar associations.
• Conduct outreach events for client education and intake.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent oral/written communication

Research skills

Computer competency

Organizational proficiency

Case management proficiency

Teamwork

Spanish language proficiency

Education

Admitted to the practice of law in Illinois

Law graduates sitting for the next bar exam

Job description

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is seeking a Staff Attorney to join our team in the Moline 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 our services on legal problems that affect our clients' ability 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 most of our area, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal services to our clients while fostering a motivating, collaborative, and rewarding work environment 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 one or more areas of our 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 full-time, 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a competitive salary compared to similar organizations. The salary range for the Staff Attorney position is $70,000 - $90,231 annually for newly licensed attorneys, with increases for 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 for a wellness credit
• Dental Insurance • 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 sitting for the next bar exam.
• Experience in trial advocacy and negotiation preferred
• Strong interpersonal skillsExcellent 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

PSLS is an equal opportunity employer that strives to create a welcoming environment. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, religion, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, or other characteristics protected by law.