Temporary Supervisory Attorney - Public Benefits (Veterans' Rights Project)

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.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 120 S. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a Veterans’ Right Supervisory Attorney to work with veterans seeking legal assistance. This is a temporary part-time (50%) position that will last no longer than six months and is expected to end on September 30, 2025.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Veterans Rights Project Staff to develop case plans in cases involving benefits from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Social Security Administration, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Maintain a caseload of individual cases representing clients before the Social Security Administration and the Illinois Department of Human 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
• Initiate and manage referral relationships with Cook County organizations serving people living with other 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 $44,852 - $49,852, which reflects an applicant with a law school graduation date between 2020 and 2010. This position is not eligible for benefits.

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.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills and genuinely enjoys interacting with clients.
• Knowledge of and experience with public benefits issues is valued and should be highlighted in the cover letter and resume.
• The successful applicant will be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter
• 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.
• Applicant must have the ability to work well under pressure.
• Applicant must have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. At least one reference must be a former supervisor. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

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, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.

If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at humanresources@legalaidchicago.org.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding an application status. We will contact candidates who are selected for the next stage of the hiring process.