Legal Aid Chicago
Paralegal - Pro Bono & Community Partnerships
Legal Aid Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Full-timeDescription
Legal Aid Chicago encourages applicants with relevant volunteer and work experience, who have experiences with our client communities or individuals who identify as a person of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, or otherwise having backgrounds and experiences that are underrepresented in the legal profession to apply.
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 by dismantling the legal barriers that perpetuate inequality. Legal Aid Chicago staff live our mission through our core values of equity, excellence, inclusion, kindness, and respect.
Position : The Pro Bono Project Paralegal will collaborate with the Pro Bono Project Manager and other staff to coordinate volunteer projects, and conduct onboarding, orientation, and training of new volunteers and interns. The Pro Bono Project Paralegal will identify and develop appropriate recruiting strategies and marketing materials that detail how volunteers at Legal Aid Chicago can make a difference in their community by providing legal assistance. The Pro Bono Project Paralegal will also work in collaboration with the staff of various pro bono projects to offer paralegal support to the Pro Bono & Community Partnerships Group (PCG) which houses over twenty volunteer-based projects and Legal Aid Chicago’s community engagement and partnerships work. This position reports to the Pro Bono Project Manager and works closely with program staff both inside and outside of PCG to maximize the use of volunteers and interns in advancement of Legal Aid Chicago’s mission.
Responsibilities : Duties include but are not limited to:
Pro Bono Project Coordination
Assist with the operations of various pro bono projects including client registration and volunteer training and recruitment
Engage and provide administrative support to volunteers
Track data related to clients and assist with client communication
Volunteer and Internship Program Coordination
Assist with volunteer and intern recruitment and creation of recruitment materials, including website postings, social media postings and email communications
Respond to and screen individual volunteers to provide additional information and match their interest and experience with available projects
Assist with onboarding and off-boarding process for interns and volunteers, coordinating with both IT and Human Resources
Coordinate intern activities including orientation, educational seminars, and other social and networking events
Support Legal Aid Chicago employees providing supervision to interns and assist with any issues related to performance
Plan and execute volunteer recognition activities including volunteer award nominations and social media campaigns
Assist with creation, improvement and delivery of trainings offered to volunteers, including assisting with administration of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) reporting requirements
Attend volunteer and intern recruitment events and serve as enthusiastic ambassador for Legal Aid Chicago
Data and Financial Reporting
Keep accurate and current data on all volunteers and interns
Assist with grant reporting to funders including providing demographic data regarding volunteers and information regarding cases closed with volunteers
Paralegal Support
Conduct client intake and legal screening for potential clients
Assist with digital and physical client case file management
Provide litigation support for attorneys including but not limited to drafting letters, completing filing requests, and offering generalized case and administrative support
Other duties as assigned
Salary and Benefits:
This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.
The Paralegal position begins at $44,863 and increases for every relevant year of experience.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Bilingual Paralegals are eligible for an additional stipend
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
Time Off: 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
19 paid holidays, including four (4) floating holidays
Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
$50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
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
Requirements
Ideal candidates will have a minimum of one year of professional experience working in a law firm or legal services organization or a J.D.
Computer proficiency, including knowledge of and experience with the full suite of Microsoft Office applications is required
Experience with software such as Raiser’s Edge and WordPress a plus
Excellent interpersonal, written communication, verbal communication and organizational skills
Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the communities we serve
The ability to work well under pressure, to work independently and to learn and retain new information
Demonstrated success in building relationships and working collaboratively to build and strengthen programming. Ability to bring diverse parties together in pursuit of common goals.
Availability to work occasional evening and weekend events and the ability to travel throughout Cook County
Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 120 S. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position will require travel to community locations and outreach events.
To Apply:
Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.
Legal Aid Chicago is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, or ex-offender status, or any other protected status.
If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at humanresources@legalaidchicago.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Legal Aid Chicago encourages applicants with relevant volunteer and work experience, who have experiences with our client communities or individuals who identify as a person of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, or otherwise having backgrounds and experiences that are underrepresented in the legal profession to apply.
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 by dismantling the legal barriers that perpetuate inequality. Legal Aid Chicago staff live our mission through our core values of equity, excellence, inclusion, kindness, and respect.
Position : The Pro Bono Project Paralegal will collaborate with the Pro Bono Project Manager and other staff to coordinate volunteer projects, and conduct onboarding, orientation, and training of new volunteers and interns. The Pro Bono Project Paralegal will identify and develop appropriate recruiting strategies and marketing materials that detail how volunteers at Legal Aid Chicago can make a difference in their community by providing legal assistance. The Pro Bono Project Paralegal will also work in collaboration with the staff of various pro bono projects to offer paralegal support to the Pro Bono & Community Partnerships Group (PCG) which houses over twenty volunteer-based projects and Legal Aid Chicago’s community engagement and partnerships work. This position reports to the Pro Bono Project Manager and works closely with program staff both inside and outside of PCG to maximize the use of volunteers and interns in advancement of Legal Aid Chicago’s mission.
Responsibilities : Duties include but are not limited to:
Pro Bono Project Coordination
Assist with the operations of various pro bono projects including client registration and volunteer training and recruitment
Engage and provide administrative support to volunteers
Track data related to clients and assist with client communication
Volunteer and Internship Program Coordination
Assist with volunteer and intern recruitment and creation of recruitment materials, including website postings, social media postings and email communications
Respond to and screen individual volunteers to provide additional information and match their interest and experience with available projects
Assist with onboarding and off-boarding process for interns and volunteers, coordinating with both IT and Human Resources
Coordinate intern activities including orientation, educational seminars, and other social and networking events
Support Legal Aid Chicago employees providing supervision to interns and assist with any issues related to performance
Plan and execute volunteer recognition activities including volunteer award nominations and social media campaigns
Assist with creation, improvement and delivery of trainings offered to volunteers, including assisting with administration of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) reporting requirements
Attend volunteer and intern recruitment events and serve as enthusiastic ambassador for Legal Aid Chicago
Data and Financial Reporting
Keep accurate and current data on all volunteers and interns
Assist with grant reporting to funders including providing demographic data regarding volunteers and information regarding cases closed with volunteers
Paralegal Support
Conduct client intake and legal screening for potential clients
Assist with digital and physical client case file management
Provide litigation support for attorneys including but not limited to drafting letters, completing filing requests, and offering generalized case and administrative support
Other duties as assigned
Salary and Benefits:
This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.
The Paralegal position begins at $44,863 and increases for every relevant year of experience.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Bilingual Paralegals are eligible for an additional stipend
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
Time Off: 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
19 paid holidays, including four (4) floating holidays
Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
$50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
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
Requirements
Ideal candidates will have a minimum of one year of professional experience working in a law firm or legal services organization or a J.D.
Computer proficiency, including knowledge of and experience with the full suite of Microsoft Office applications is required
Experience with software such as Raiser’s Edge and WordPress a plus
Excellent interpersonal, written communication, verbal communication and organizational skills
Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the communities we serve
The ability to work well under pressure, to work independently and to learn and retain new information
Demonstrated success in building relationships and working collaboratively to build and strengthen programming. Ability to bring diverse parties together in pursuit of common goals.
Availability to work occasional evening and weekend events and the ability to travel throughout Cook County
Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 120 S. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position will require travel to community locations and outreach events.
To Apply:
Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.
Legal Aid Chicago is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, or ex-offender status, or any other protected status.
If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at humanresources@legalaidchicago.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr