Legal Aid Chicago encourages applicants with relevant volunteer and work experience, who have experiences with our client communities or individuals who identify as a person of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, or otherwise having backgrounds and experiences that are underrepresented in the legal profession to apply.

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 by dismantling the legal barriers that perpetuate inequality. Legal Aid Chicago staff live our mission through our core values of equity, excellence, inclusion, kindness, and respect.

Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time paralegal in our Medical-Legal Partnerships team (MLP). This position reports to a Supervisory Attorney.

Legal Aid Chicago’s Medical-Legal Partnerships work directly with hospitals and health care providers to address social determinants having the greatest negative consequences for client-patients’ health and well-being. Currently we have two active partnerships. Recovery Legal Care partners with the UChicago Hospital’s Trauma Center to serve victims of violent crime. Health Forward/Salud Adelante partners with the Cook County Health and Hospitals System to integrate legal, medical, and public health services in Chicago’s most health challenged neighborhoods.

The MLP team handles a wide range of public benefits legal issues, such as advocating for crime victims’ compensation from the State of Illinois, challenging wrongful denials, terminations, and other issues concerning benefits from the Department of Human Services including SNAP, TANF, AABD Cash, and Medicaid, as well as SSI and disability benefits issues with the Social Security Administration. The team also collaborates with Legal Aid Chicago’s Practice Groups to address legal issues impacting housing, employment, personal safety, immigration, criminal records (expungement/sealing), and consumer/financial.

Responsibilities: 

• Interview eligible clients on a wide range of legal issues by phone and on site at hospitals or health clinics
• Under attorney supervision, maintain an individual caseload with an emphasis on assisting clients with issues at the Social Security Administration, Illinois Department of Human Services and other state agencies that administer public benefits
• Attend trainings to grow and maintain knowledge in relevant areas of law
• Develop understanding about health harming legal issues affecting our patient/client population
• Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff to provide comprehensive legal services
• Work collaboratively with medical teams to support the MLP service model
• Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Maintain the same ethical standards of conduct required of attorneys
• Provide litigation support for attorneys and assist with administrative tasks as needed
• Track data and prepare reports related to our work and other grant administration 
• Engage in community outreach, provide legal training and provider education for our health partners, and assist with data collection and reporting to our health partners
• Maintain proficiency with all equipment, computer hardware and software necessary to perform duties
• Handle other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and leadership team.

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 Paralegal position begins at $41,500 and increases for every relevant year of 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 13 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 14 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Six 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

• Preferred applicants will have an undergraduate degree, familiarity with public benefits program eligibility criteria, strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, be collegial, work well with teams and independently, and be able to work well under pressure
• The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to and experience with interacting with people living in poverty, trauma survivors, and people with physical, mental and cognitive disabilities
• Spanish proficiency is a plus

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 requires travel to hospitals, and may include travel for court or educational or outreach events.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. 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, or ex-offender status, or any other protected status.

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