Staff Attorney Incarcerated Survivors

Job Description

Job Description

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 womens prisons / jails and other forms of correctional control, as well as limited related services for their family members. The Incarcerated Survivors 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. There is also a limited amount of mitigation for criminal defense or post-conviction matters, as well as individual advocacy for clients. This role will mainly focus on the family law needs of incarcerated survivors.

Most Ascend Justice staff are working 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 as circumstances 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

• 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.
• Provide a variety of advice and brief service appointments, including preparation of pro se documents.
• Manage a caseload of ongoing cases, including effective representation of clients in contested hearings.
• When necessary, travel to womens prisons or Cook County Jail to meet with clients in person or give presentations on legal services.
• Deliver services according to principles of trauma-informed care.
• Perform intake functions, interviewing potential clients to evaluate cases for representation.
• Maintain client files, noting all deadlines, communications, and other relevant information.
• Coordinate with the agencys Client Support Coordinator and other colleagues to ensure that the client receives seamless, holistic services.
• Supervise volunteers including attorneys, students, and interns.

Other Responsibilities

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

Work Environment

• 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.
• Drivers License 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. Employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer.
• Smoke- and drug-free environment.

Qualifications

• Passionate about Ascend Justices mission.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois
• Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training
• At least two years of legal experience is preferred, working in domestic relations, child welfare, or a related field, or working with incarcerated clients
• Experience working with incarcerated populations or lived experience preferred
• Ability to develop and implement short and long-term litigation strategies
• Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
• Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based or intimate partner violence
• Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with people in crisis
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Flexible, self-motivated
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication and time management skills
• 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 individuals 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 CJA.CivilRightsOfficer@illinois.gov

Flexible work from home options available.