Supervisory Attorney, Public Benefits

National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

403(b) retirement plan

Life insurance included

Job summary

Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Supervisory Attorney in Public Benefits Practice Group to lead representation for clients pursuing Social Security and DHS benefits. The role includes supervising attorneys and staff, guiding case strategy, and engaging in systemic advocacy while maintaining accurate case files and timekeeping.

The position offers a hybrid work model from downtown Chicago, with a salary range of $89,704–$99,704, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to mentor others and

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and Illinois licensure or eligibility to waive into Illinois bar.
• Minimum five years of demonstrated legal experience and supervision.
• Experience in housing or public benefits litigation preferred.
• Strong written and oral skills with ability to mentor staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload representing clients in public benefits matters.
• Supervise attorneys and staff, review work, and coach on strategy.
• Provide training in substantive law and litigation skills.
• Engage in systemic advocacy to impact client communities.
• Maintain case files and timekeeping, support grant reporting.

Skills

Legal research

Supervision

Litigation strategy

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Legal Aid Chicago encourages applicants with relevant volunteer and work experience, who have experiences with our client communities or individuals who identify as a person of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, or otherwise having backgrounds and experiences that are underrepresented in the legal profession to apply.

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 by dismantling the legal barriers that perpetuate inequality. Legal Aid Chicago staff live our mission
through our core values of equity, excellence, inclusion, kindness, and respect.

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, will report to the Practice Group Director or Associate Practice Group Director, and is responsible for the following tasks:

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

Qualifications:

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.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 200 N. La Salle St., is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local
expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

Salary and Benefits:

The budgeted salary range for this position is $89,704 – $99,704, which reflects an applicant with a law school graduation date between 2020 and 2010.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bilingual Staff Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
• Time Off: 15 vacation days and 13 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 14 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Six weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
• $50,000 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
• Monthly internet reimbursement
• Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public
  service loan forgiveness program

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 identity, sexual orientation, age religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, or ex-offender status, or any other protected status.