Staff Attorney

We are now hiring Two (2) full-time Staff Attorneys to join the Individual Rights & Social Justice Practice Group within our Legal Aid Society team—serving our New Arrivals Team. 

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do.  

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you! 

The Individual Rights & Social Justice Practice Group provides legal representation to victims of crime and currently has projects that focus specifically on services to victims of human trafficking, immigrant victims of crime, and immigrants in detention and removal proceedings. In addition, Individual Rights & Social Justice Practice Group engages in numerous direct outreaches, training, and technical assistance throughout Illinois. As part of a trauma informed practice, we believe in reducing barriers to assist clients, which includes being willing to meet with clients in safe locations outside the attorney's main location. 

Are you a mission-driven attorney passionate about fighting for the rights of vulnerable populations?  Then we encourage you to apply! The attorney will work with individuals who are in immigration removal proceedings both detained and non-detained. Using a team approach, the attorneys will help clients with defensive and affirmative immigration relief as needed. The attorney will conduct intakes and provide advisal's and/or full representation.

This is a hybrid position, with the office location being our headquarters in the loop, Chicago, IL. The Staff Attorney will need to travel to our office and workshops In Palatine Illinois.  

SALARY: The average salary range for this position is  $65,000 -$70,000 annually. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:   

• Using client centered trauma informed techniques, provide high quality legal services to clients in all aspects of representation. 
• Interview clients, identify legal problems, advise clients of options, and provide legal advice, often under emotional and stressful conditions. In constant communication with large number of clients. Assess clients for other legal and supportive needs. 
• Using independent judgment, handle a full caseload of varying complexity. Use advocacy, to favorably resolve immigration issues for clients.
• Prepare affirmative Immigration applications for clients in removal proceedings.
• Prepare defensive Immigration application for clients in removal proceedings before EOIR.
• Conduct MIDA intakes of detained clients to asses immigration relief and possibly provide full representation.
• Represent client in immigration proceedings in a Pro-se level.
• Maintain documents, data, and other information required by various funders. Ensure all case files and case data are timely and accurately updated. 
• Identify systemic issues affecting communities served by LAS and participate in developing creative strategies to address them. 
• Provide training, consultation, and support to agency staff in area of specialization. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:  

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills. 
• Excellent writing, recordkeeping, and organizational skills. 
• Ability to exercise appropriate independent judgment. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups. 
• Relevant experience in the general practice of law preferred.  

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Juris Doctor AND active member of the Illinois Bar or admission within 3 months from hire. 
• If not already certified, upon starting, must enroll for training and receive a 40-Hour Domestic Violence Certification within 12 weeks of employment. 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.    

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screening and criminal background checks. 

TRAVEL TRANSPORTATION/MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS:  

• Travel is required within Chicago and surrounding suburbs. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.   

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!  

Some highlights include:  

• Medical Coverage, Guardian Dental Coverage, and VSP Vision Coverage. 
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date. 
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members. 
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility. 

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!  

MORE ABOUT US:   

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.