Staff Attorney

About the Role

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is seeking a Staff Attorney to provide legal services to low-income individuals in northern and central Illinois. As a Staff Attorney, you will be part of a team that provides a wide range of legal services, including housing, family, public benefits, consumer, health, education, and other areas.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services to low-income individuals, including legal research and factual investigation, counsel and advice, brief services and document preparation, dispute resolution, and representation of clients in administrative and judicial proceedings.
• Interview applicants for legal services and assess their legal issues with a focus on those issues that have an immediate impact on their basic human needs.
• Develop and maintain networking relationships with local bar associations and with local, state, and federal governments and community agencies that serve our client population.
• Conduct outreach events with client communities, including client education and intake events at community partner locations.
• Provide accurate and complete information for grant reporting to grant funders, including documenting services in the case record.
• Actively participate in an internal task force related to one or more areas of our practice.
• Exhibit a high level of personal energy, organization, and commitment to the position and the PSLS mission.

Qualifications

• Candidates currently admitted to the practice of law in the State of Illinois or admitted in another state and eligible for reciprocity in Illinois are preferred. Consideration will be given to law graduates who will be sitting for the next bar exam.
• Experience in trial advocacy and negotiation preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral/written communication, research skills, and computer competency.
• Organizational and case management proficiency.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred but not required.
• Some travel is required; applicant must have a valid driver's license and/or reliable transportation.

About Prairie State Legal Services

Prairie State Legal Services is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization that has served northern and central Illinois for 45 years. We maintain 11 office locations and have over 200 employees, including training and litigation staff with extensive experience. Our 36-county service area includes rural communities, suburban areas, and mid-size urban cities, which necessitates the development of diverse strategies. We strive to provide an array of services responsive to the needs of our clients. PSLS has excellent fiscal controls and upholds the highest rating from Charity Navigator and Guidestar.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with opportunities for growth.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 403b Retirement Plan, and extensive training and education program.
• Flex scheduling and partial remote work available.
• PTO that starts at 3 weeks/year and increases with additional years worked at PSLS.
• Paid sick leave.
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment.
• 12 Paid holidays.