Staff Attorney - Elder & Disability Justice Initiative

The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is the legal services arm of MFS. Since 1886, LAS has been working to strengthen families and ensure equal access to justice by providing free legal services to under-resourced communities, including families experiencing poverty, victims of violence and crime, and the elderly. LAS provides assistance with a wide range of case types, including domestic violence, family law, elder abuse, immigration, human trafficking, expungement/sealing, and housing. With offices in the Chicago area and Decatur, LAS serves clients in Cook County, DuPage County, and Central Illinois.

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do. 

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

We are now hiring a full-time Staff Attorney to join the Legal Aid Society's, Elder and Disability Justice Initiative at our Headquarters office.

SALARY: 

• The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $70,000 and $72,500 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides legal representation to clients who are elderly and/or living with a disability in cases including but not limited to orders of protection, financial exploitation related matters, guardianship, and housing matters. 
• Conduct outreach and community education events at partner organizations in the Chicagoland area. 
• Interview clients, identify legal problems, advise clients of options, and provide legal advice, often under emotional and stressful conditions. In constant communication with large number of clients. Assess clients for other legal and supportive needs.
• Using independent judgment, handle a full caseload of varying complexity. Use advocacy, negotiation, and litigation to favorably resolve issues for clients. Draft legal documents, discovery material, agreements, and court pleadings as necessary.
• Maintain documents, data, and other information required by various funders. Ensure all case files and case data are timely and accurately updated.
• Identify systemic issues affecting communities served by LAS and participate in developing creative strategies to address them.
• Provide training, consultation, and support to agency staff in area of specialization.
• Other duties as assigned. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.

• Excellent writing, recordkeeping, and organizational skills.

• Ability to exercise appropriate independent judgment.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor AND active member of the Illinois Bar or admission within 3 months from hire.
• Relevant experience in the general practice of public interest law preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all screenings and background checks. 

TRANSPORTATION/MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel between sites for community work is required.
• Driving to work in personal vehicle is not required but must have access to public transportation or other form of reliable transportation. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!

Some highlights include:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage, Guardian Dental Coverage, and VSP Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!

MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.  

Salary : $70,000 - $72,500