at Legal Aid Chicago (Formerly LAF) in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year our attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Legal Aid Chicago was founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, regardless of their income. We work to ensure that poverty is not an impediment to justice.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.
Position: Legal Aid Chicago is looking for a full-time Strategic Litigation Director to increase our capacity to realize positive impact for our client communities through affirmative litigation, impact litigation, and appellate advocacy. This position will report to a Managing Director.
Responsibilities: The Strategic Litigation Director will:
- Support the development of organization-wide standardized practices for litigation
- Work with the practice groups to determine strategies and goals for affirmative advocacy and opportunities for litigation
- Co-counsel complex federal or state litigation and appeals and supervise attorneys and staff who work on them
- Identify and coordinate amicus brief opportunities for Legal Aid Chicago, particularly those that offer opportunities to use Legal Aid Chicago’s experience and expertise in poverty law matters to improve outcomes for Legal Aid Chicago’s clients and their communities
- Assist the Director of Litigation and Training to determine the resources and training needed to equip each team to effectively litigate in state and federal court and within administrative processes
- In coordination with the Director of Pro Bono & Community Partnerships, identify pro bono partnerships that can further develop the skills and affirmative litigation abilities of Legal Aid Chicago attorneys and community partnerships that can improve our understanding of issues and outcomes for clients
- Assist the Chief Advancement Officer to identify foundations and other sources of funding for Legal Aid Chicago’s work and otherwise participate in the promotion of Legal Aid Chicago’s brand and fundraising efforts
- Serve as an ambassador to elevate Legal Aid Chicago’s work and the interests of its clients with key audiences, both locally and nationally
- Collaborate with other organizations and entities to identify potential joint representation opportunities that advance Legal Aid Chicago’s core work and its clients’ priorities
- Other duties as assigned.
Salary and Benefits:
The budgeted salary range for this position is $125,000- $140,000.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
- Time Off: 21 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
- 19 paid holidays, including four floating holidays
- Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
- 401(a) retirement plan with an employer contribution after 3 months of employment
- $100,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
- Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
- Chicago Bar Association Membership, at no cost
- Reimbursement of annual ARDC registration fees
- Monthly internet reimbursement
- Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program
