Supervisory Attorney - Public Benefits

Legal Aid Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,204 - 105,204; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual stipend

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Legal Aid Chicago, a long-standing nonprofit providing free civil legal assistance to residents of metropolitan Chicago, seeks a full-time Supervisory Attorney for the Public Benefits Practice Group to lead cases involving Social Security and Illinois DHS benefits.

You will supervise attorneys and staff, manage complex litigation, and engage in systemic advocacy while collaborating across departments to support clients who face housing, healthcare, and poverty-related challenges.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and Illinois licensure or waiver to Illinois bar.
• At least five years of demonstrated experience with supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience litigating housing law cases preferred and a record of innovation.
• Strong written and oral skills; ability to work interdisciplinary with staff.
• Experience serving communities living in poverty preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload representing clients, primarily nursing home residents, seeking SSA/IDHS benefits.
• Supervise attorneys and staff, edit work, guide strategy, co-counsel complex cases and perform evaluations.
• Engage in systemic advocacy to achieve lasting impact for clients.
• Maintain case files and timekeeping in electronic systems; ensure staff compliance.
• Engage in outreach addressing issues affecting people with chronic medical conditions.
• Work with External Relations on grants and report outcomes.
• Collaborate with supervisors, staff, interns, and volunteers to deliver comprehensive legal services.
• Participate in poverty-law activities including publication, advocacy, media relations, and fundraising.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Litigation skills

Written and oral communication

Cross-cultural effectiveness

Poverty law experience

Education

J.D. degree

Illinois bar admission or waiver

Tools

Electronic case management systems

Job description

Description For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year our attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Legal Aid Chicago was founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, regardless of their income. We work to ensure that poverty is not an impediment to justice.

Position

Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Supervisory Attorney in Public Benefits Practice Group. The Supervisory Attorney will focus on assisting individuals obtain benefits from the Social Security Administration and Illinois Department of Human Services and will report to the Practice Group Director or Associate Practice Group Director.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload of individual cases representing clients who primarily will be nursing home residents who need income to move out of nursing homes before the Social Security Administration and the Illinois Department of Human Services and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and in state and federal courts
• Supervise attorneys and other staff in the Public Benefits Practice Group who handle a full caseload in the above areas of law, including editing their written work, providing guidance on case strategy, co-counseling complex cases, conducting regular case reviews, providing training in substantive areas of law as well as litigation skills, completing performance evaluations, and overseeing professional development.
• Engage in systemic advocacy designed to have a lasting, measurable effect on our client community
• Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system and ensure staff do as well
• Engage in community outreach addressing issues affecting people living with chronic medical conditions
• Work with External Relations to administer and report on grants that support the work of the Public Benefits Practice Group
• Work collaboratively with supervisors, staff, interns, and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
• Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising
• Other duties as assigned by the Associate Director or Director

Salary and Benefits

• The budgeted salary range for this position is $95,204 - $105,204, which reflects an applicant with a law school graduation date between 2021 and 2011.
• Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Bilingual Supervisory Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
• Time Off: 21 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 19 paid holidays, including four floating holidays
• Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
• 401(a) retirement plan with an employer contribution after 3 months of employment
• $100,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
• Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
• Chicago Bar Association Membership, at no cost
• Reimbursement of annual ARDC registration fees
• Monthly internet stipend
• Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program

Requirements

• Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.
• Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice in the state of Illinois or be licensed in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar.
• The ideal candidate will have at least five years of demonstrated experience and experience supervising legal work.
• Experience litigating housing law cases is preferred and demonstrated history of innovation is a plus.
• Applicants must be highly collegial, have complex litigation experience, strong written and oral skills, be willing to work in an interdisciplinary manner with all Legal Aid Chicago staff, and have enthusiasm about working in a fast-paced practice and training and mentoring less experienced attorneys and advocacy staff.
• Experience working with people living in poverty strongly preferred.
• The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve.

Equality & Inclusion

Legal Aid Chicago is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.

Additional Information

If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at [e-mail].