Staff Attorney

Metropolitan Family Services 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 Individual Rights & Social Justice Practice Group in our Legal Aid Society team in our Decatur office! 

The Individual Rights & Social Justice Practice Group provides legal representation to victims of crime and currently has projects that focus specifically on services to victims of human trafficking and immigrant victims of crime.  In addition, Individual Rights & Social Justice Practice Group engages in numerous direct outreaches, training, and technical assistance throughout Illinois. As part of a trauma informed practice, we believe in reducing barriers to assist clients, which includes being willing to meet with clients in safe locations outside the attorney's main location.

The attorney will work with victims of human trafficking and labor exploitation. Using a team approach, the attorneys will help clients with crime victim rights advocacy and enforcement, immigration relief as needed, and pursuing civil remedies to recover damages.

This is a hybrid position. 

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: 

• Using client centered trauma informed techniques, provide high quality legal services to clients in all aspects of representation, from interviewing to litigation.
• 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.
• Relevant experience in the general practice of law preferred. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor AND active member of the Illinois Bar or admission within 3 months from hire.
• If not already certified, upon starting, must enroll for training and receive a 40-Hour Domestic Violence Certification within 12 weeks of employment
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
      

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screening and criminal background checks.

TRANSPORTATION/MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel is required within Illinois

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.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of IL Medical Coverage options that support all levels of staff (including Part-Time): HMO, PPO, and HSA (PPO)
• ZERO: A free benefit for BCBS PPO members that helps find the least expensive option for medical services.
• MFS will contribute $2,000 to individual and $4,000 to family HSA Accounts through our HSA coverage, all front-loaded at the start of the year, or the start of your HSA enrollment.
• Teladoc services provided to all employees: A no-cost benefit providing general medicine and behavioral health services, no insurance necessary.
• Dental HMO and PPO options through Guardian Dental.
• VSP vision insurance with one of the largest networks in the Chicago-land area.
• Company-paid individual life insurance policy of $100,000, with a wide range of additional, employee-cost options.
• Company-paid individual Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance.
• Five Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options ranging from Health to Contribute your pre-tax dollars where you need them the most.
• Ascensus 401K Plan with up to a 4% Match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.
• 12 paid Holidays.
• Starting with 15 days of PTO, maxing at 30 days after 3 years of service.
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E-Learning.
• Pet Insurance options for your furry (or non-furry) friends.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Free Will preparation services.
• On-staff notary available to employees.
• ALEX, AI-powered assistance that will make your benefit decisions seamless.

MORE ABOUT US: 

Metropolitan Family Services 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. 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