For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has served as a leading law firm, court and community partner, and stakeholder. Through our expertise, innovation, and strategic relationships, Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal services to people experiencing poverty and other barriers to stability. Our legal advocacy advances safety, stability, and opportunity for individuals and families across Cook County and the State of Illinois. With more than 115 full-time attorneys on staff, Legal Aid Chicago is uniquely positioned to address both individual client needs and systemic challenges within the areas where we practice.

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 requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

Position: Legal Aid Chicago’s Employment Law team in the Immigrants & Workers’ Rights Practice Group seeks a full-time paralegal to assist our Employment attorneys in cases involving workers’ rights.

Paralegals work alongside attorneys and directly with clients on legal issues including, among other matters, unlawful discrimination and harassment (including sexual harassment), retaliation, denial of leave, workplace accommodations of disabilities, wage theft, and unemployment insurance benefits. This position reports to a Supervisory Attorney.

Responsibilities: The paralegal will work with a team of attorneys to carry out the following duties and responsibilities: 

• Provide litigation support to attorneys, including court and administrative agency filings, document collection, outreach materials, drafting letters, and file maintenance
• Assist with case assessment and preparation, including obtaining clients’ personnel files from their employers, filing administrative complaints, obtaining supporting documents for pending cases
• Conduct intake and interview clients to determine the nature of their potential claims and possible remedies
• Provide advice and referrals to individuals not accepted as clients and make appropriate referrals alternative legal services and social services
• Maintain knowledge of the case acceptance criteria of other Legal Aid Chicago Practice Groups to facilitate appropriate internal referrals
• Make appropriate referrals inside Legal Aid Chicago and to external partners
• Assist attorneys with administrative tasks and support attorneys in all stages of litigation
• After receiving training and with supervision, represent clients in hearings before Administrative Law Judges in their claims for unemployment benefits
• Attend training and maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues
• Attend twice-weekly team meetings
• Track data related to grant and assist on related reporting
• Assist with outreach and training
• Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Other duties as designated by the Supervisor 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 $46,675-$51,428, 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 stipend
• 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.

Undergraduate degree strongly preferred.  Applicants must have excellent oral and written skills, including the ability to draft letters and basic pleadings. Good organizational and information-gathering skills are essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively with others. Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn and use new technology as needed are required. 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. Spanish proficiency is a plus.

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, 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.