Supervisory Attorney - Client Screening

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.

Position: 

Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Supervisory Attorney for our Client Screening Group (CSG). CSG is the central entry point for applicants seeking legal assistance from Legal Aid Chicago. CSG staff members screen applicants for eligibility, perform triage of legal issues, and determine the appropriate level of service for clients including referral, advice, or connecting clients to Legal Aid Chicago Practice Groups for more extensive analysis and representation. This is a non-litigation position that involves intake administration, project management, provision of legal advice and brief services focused on older adults (age 60+), and supervision of attorney and non-attorney legal staff.

Responsibilities include, without limitation: 

• Supervise Attorneys and Intake Specialists in CSG, including providing legal consultation and support to identify and evaluate legal issues and potential conflicts of interest, triage applicants and provide legal advice
• Complete performance evaluations and oversee professional development of CSG Attorneys and Intake Specialists
• Coordinate intake by phone, online, in-person and through referrals from community partners
• Conduct client registration and screening
• Conduct brief legal research or other limited services to resolve clients’ legal issues
• Review electronic case files of Intake Specialists and Attorneys to ensure appropriate and accurate advice is communicated to clients
• Run and evaluate reports using the LegalServer case management system, Excel, Cisco Webex and other information management tools
• Accurately and timely enter notes and timekeeping in LegalServer and ensure supervised staff do so as well
• Create, update and improve CSG procedures and supporting materials for efficient delivery of high-quality legal services
• Coordinate CSG services with Legal Aid Chicago Practice Groups and work groups
• Interact with other legal aid agencies and community partners to support referral relationships and coordination of services, including participating in training agencies, advocates, and community groups about CSG intake processes
• Maintain knowledge in areas of law handled by Legal Aid Chicago such as legal services for older adults, family law, housing, employment law, public benefits and consumer law
• Participate in training new staff and ongoing training of existing CSG staff members
• Handle other related assignments as determined by the CSG Director

Salary and Benefits:

The budgeted salary range for this position is $95,204 - $105,204, which reflects an applicant with a law school graduation date between 2021 and 2011.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bilingual Supervisory Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
• Time Off: 21 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 19 paid holidays, including four floating holidays
• Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
• 401(a) retirement plan with an employer contribution after 3 months of employment
• $100,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
• Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
• Chicago Bar Association Membership, at no cost
• Reimbursement of annual ARDC registration fees
• 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

Applicants must have a J.D. Degree and be licensed to practice in the state of Illinois. The ideal candidate will have at least six years of demonstrated experience. Applicants must be highly collegial, have experience working with people living in poverty, possess excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure. A high proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and electronic case management systems is required.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, 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, 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.