About the position
Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, and to thrive. As part of this mission, we are seeking a full-time Staff Attorney to join the Legal Aid Society's South Suburban Domestic Violence Team. The Legal Aid Society (LAS) has been providing free legal services to vulnerable communities since 1886, focusing on families experiencing poverty, victims of violence and crime, and the elderly. The Staff Attorney will provide legal representation to survivors of domestic violence in various legal matters, including orders of protection, divorce, and parentage issues, primarily at the Markham Courthouse, the Centralized Domestic Violence Courthouse, and the Daley Center. In this role, the Staff Attorney will conduct client interviews to identify complex legal problems and provide legal advice under often emotional and stressful conditions. The attorney will utilize advanced advocacy and negotiation techniques to effectively represent clients, communicate with opposing parties, and prepare necessary legal documents and court pleadings. The position requires a high level of litigation skill, as the attorney will independently prepare and try cases, manage a full caseload, and identify systemic issues affecting low-income clients. Additionally, the Staff Attorney will provide training and support to agency staff, law students, paralegals, and volunteers, and may engage in public speaking or educational activities related to the agency's mission. The ideal candidate will have a law degree and be admitted to the Illinois Bar or be able to gain admission within three months of hire. Relevant experience in public interest, family law, or domestic violence law is preferred, along with bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish. The position requires excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, as well as the ability to manage a large number of clients professionally and empathetically. Employment with Metropolitan Family Services also requires proof of vaccination or an approved medical exemption, and attorneys serving victims of domestic violence must complete a 40-Hour Domestic Violence Certification within 12 weeks of employment.
Responsibilities
- Provides legal representation to survivors of domestic violence in orders of protection, divorce matters, and parentage matters.
- Interviews clients to identify complex legal problems and provides legal advice under emotional and stressful conditions.
- Uses advanced advocacy and negotiation techniques to favorably resolve issues for clients.
- Communicates with opposing attorneys, judicial officers, government officials, and others as necessary.
- Creates and uses legal documents, discovery material, agreements, and court pleadings as necessary.
- Prepares briefs in cases involving unusual or novel points of law.
- Represents clients in litigation proceedings, preparing and trying cases independently.
- Handles a full caseload of varying complexity and demonstrates a high level of litigation skill.
- Identifies systemic issues affecting low-income clients and develops strategies to address them.
- Provides training, consultation, and support to agency staff in area of specialization.
- May engage in appellate practice and assist in training law students, paralegals, and volunteers.
Requirements
- Law Degree and admission to the Illinois Bar or admission within 3 months from hire, required.
- Relevant experience in public interest, family law, or domestic violence law, preferred.
- Bilingual English/Spanish, preferred.
- Demonstrated history of working with diverse communities, ideally aiding victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Excellent work management skills and ability to work independently.
- Ability to respond to a large number of clients in a professional and empathetic manner.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in public interest law or family law.
- Bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
