Staff Attorney

Prairie State Legal Services, a nonprofit civil legal aid organization, is seeking a dedicated Staff Attorney to join our team in the Rockford office. As a Staff Attorney, you will provide a wide range of legal services to low-income individuals, including housing, family, public benefits, consumer, health, education, and other areas. Your expertise will be invaluable in helping us fulfill our mission to provide high-quality legal services to our clients while fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative, and rewarding.

• 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.

• Competitive salary scale starting at $70,000 annually for newly licensed attorneys and increasing with each year of relevant experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 403b retirement plan, 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• We will give preference to candidates who have experience providing services to low-income individuals.