Paralegal - Pro Bono & Community Partnerships

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 full-time paralegal within its Pro Bono & Community Partnerships Practice Group (“PCG”) to support the Criminal Records Relief Project. The paralegal will work alongside an associate director, staff attorneys, and others to serve adult and juvenile clients in expungement and sealing proceedings. The paralegal will provide support for all aspects of records relief, including screening clients, assisting attorneys with paperwork and correspondence with the court, and supporting pro bono attorneys to increase our capacity. This position reports to the PCG Associate Director overseeing the Criminal Records Relief program.

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct telephone and in-person interviews to determine client eligibility for services and advise on next steps
• Staff the Juvenile Expungement Help Desk located at the Juvenile Justice Courthouse, 1100 S. Hamilton, Chicago, IL at least two times per week, to perform duties including conducting intake and answering questions from walk-in patrons
• Assist with the preparation and filing of paperwork for expungement, sealing, and other forms of records relief
• Attend activities and events to raise awareness of Legal Aid Chicago and the Criminal Records Relief Project, such as know your rights workshops, presentations about Legal Aid Chicago, and resource fairs
• Maintain accurate and timely case records and timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Assist Associate Director with maintaining information on grants and grant reporting, and respond to reporting requirements
• Engage with and provide administrative support to volunteers and staff
• Other duties as assigned

Salary and Benefits: 

This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $45,760-$50,738, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bilingual Paralegals are eligible for an additional stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
• Time Off: 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 19 paid holidays, including four (4) floating holidays
• Twelve 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
• 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 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.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve
• Excellent organizational and information-gathering skills
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing, including writing letters, emails and accurate case notes
• Ability to work collaboratively with others
• Computer proficiency, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, is required
• Bilingual English/Spanish fluency preferred
• Undergraduate degree is preferred

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience, 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.