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 200 N. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position will require occasional travel to outreach activities, primarily located within the city limits.

Position

Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time paralegal in our Immigrants and Workers’ Rights Practice Group (IWR). IWR includes the areas of employment, immigration, migrant farmworker, and human trafficking law. IWR’s four teams work both independently and in an interdisciplinary manner when these areas of law intersect. This paralegal position will be on the immigration team. This position will involve providing outreach, screening, information, advice and referrals to immigrants in Illinois, and will work directly on client applications for benefits with USCIS. The paralegal will report to a supervising attorney. 

Responsibilities:

• Interview clients and conduct initial fact gathering
• Provide advice and referrals to individuals
• Provide follow-up with clients about their cases
• Input client data into agency database
• Carry out work in a client-centered and trauma-informed manner
• Participate in weekly team meetings to present new cases and discuss team development
• Assist attorneys with administrative tasks
• Work collaboratively with supervisory attorneys and staff attorneys 
• Maintain knowledge of the case acceptance criteria of IWR and other Legal Aid Chicago practice groups to facilitate appropriate internal referrals
• Attend training and maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues
• Maintain case files and accurate case notes and timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Track data related to grants and assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable
• Partner and collaborate with other Legal Aid Chicago staff, as well as staff from partner agencies
• Maintain proficiency with equipment and technology necessary to perform the duties of the position
• Other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorney or Director.

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.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, great client counseling skills and genuine desire to interact with clients
• 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
• Experience with legal case software is a plus
• Fluency in Spanish is a requirement
• Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure, independently and as part of a team

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of two professional references. 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.