Staff Attorney - Rockford, IL

Job Description

Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they can't afford a lawyer. It's our mission to change that.

Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) is seeking a Staff Attorney to join our team in the Rockford office. Staff attorneys at PSLS provide a wide range of legal services to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including low-income individuals, older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities. We focus services on legal problems that impact the ability of our clients to meet their basic human needs, including physical safety, access to healthcare, adequate housing, and financial stability. Prairie State is the only legal aid organization in the majority of our area, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal services to our clients while fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative, and rewarding, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth.

Responsibilities

Among other duties as assigned, the Staff Attorney will:

Provide legal services to low-income individuals covering a wide range of legal issues, including housing, family, public benefits, consumer, health, education, and other areas

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

Provide legal services, 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

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

Salary and Benefits

The Staff Attorney position is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a salary that is competitive with similar organizations. The salary range for the Staff Attorney position is $70,000 - $90,231 annually for newly licensed attorneys and increases with each year of relevant experience. PSLS is committed to providing an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to its full-time employees that includes:

Health insurance, including the opportunity to qualify for a wellness credit

Dental Insurance • Vision Insurance

403b Retirement Plan, including employer contributions

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

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

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

PSLS is an equal opportunity employer that strives to create a welcoming environment. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, religion, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, or other characteristics protected by law.

Full-time

Hybrid remote