Staff Attorney

Passionate about helping low-income individuals with a range of civil legal issues? Eager to serve in rural central Illinois?

Join Land of Lincoln Legal Aid and make a long-term impact!

Want to make a difference with your law degree? Land of Lincoln Legal Aid seeks a motivated attorney to work in our Champaign office to work directly with low-income individuals and seniors, as well as collaborate with community partners, to address civil legal needs. The position will serve Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Ford, Piatt, and Vermilion County residents focusing on housing and debt collection. The attorney will also collaborate with community partners in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, to address legal needs of residents and identify ways to achieve long-term changes that transform the community and improve the lives of residents.

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in 65 counties in Illinois. We are committed to working for justice with those whose voices might otherwise not be heard; to assist individuals in advocating for themselves; and to make positive changes in collaboration with the communities we serve. Our attorneys provide holistic legal advocacy in partnership with community organizations, social service agencies, and faith-based groups.

The staff attorney will provide zealous representation in a variety of areas of civil law, including: housing, consumer, guardianships, and public benefits. The staff attorney will establish and maintain relationships with community partners serving the low-income and senior populations and perform educational outreach and trainings to community partners.

• Responsibilities include:
  Actively participate in community outreach and education
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations
• Actively listen to community residents about legal needs and develop strategies to address them on an individual and systemic basis
• Handle all elements of litigation including client interviewing, investigation, discovery, pleadings, briefs, and representation at hearings at trial level and appellate levels if appropriate
• Supervise secretaries, law students, and other staff
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Licensed to practice law in Illinois or has requisite credentials for reciprocity
• Previous legal and nonprofit experience preferred
• Strong commitment to social and racial justice
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work with people of diverse social, economic, and racial/ethnic backgrounds
• Ability to communicate with diverse audiences
• Excellent verbal, analytical, writing and organization skills
• Highly motivated and demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Special Working Conditions and Demands:

• Applicants must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and car insurance.
• Reliable home broadband internet sufficient to support remote work meetings, court and video conference hearings, as well as remote meetings/events with community partners.

Compensation:
$75,000 – $100,00 with license (depending on experience). Excellent insurance and retirement benefits.

Land of Lincoln is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LBGTQIA+, and gender non-conforming applicants.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Susan Zielke, Managing Attorney Eastern Regional Office at szielke@lincolnlegal.org.