Paralegal - Consumer

Description For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has served as a leading law firm, court and community partner, and stakeholder. Through our expertise, innovation, and strategic relationships, Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal services to people experiencing poverty and other barriers to stability. Our legal advocacy advances safety, stability, and opportunity for individuals and families across Cook County and the State of Illinois.

With more than 115 full-time attorneys on staff, Legal Aid Chicago is uniquely positioned to address both individual client needs and systemic challenges within the areas where we practice. Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 200 N. La. Salle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways.

This position requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois. Position : Legal Aid Chicago seeks two full-time paralegals in the Consumer Practice Group. Paralegals work alongside attorneys and directly with clients on legal issues. These positions will primarily support our work with the Early Resolution Program (ERP) with Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt, a county-wide initiative to help resolve eviction and debt issues and the Pro Se Bankruptcy Help Desk, funded by the Chicago Bar Foundation and situated to help pro se filers in the US Bankruptcy Court of the Northern District of Illinois.

The ERP for consumer debt provides limited assistance to debtors. The program has both a pre-court and in-court component. The pre-court assistance focuses on screening and advising debtors of their rights. The in-court assistance focuses on advice, referrals and negotiation to resolve issues prior to trial. The paralegals support both aspects of this program, providing support to staff attorneys in screening and following up with debtors.

The Pro Se Bankruptcy Help Desk provides limited assistance to pro se debtors and creditors and those that are curious about filing bankruptcy. The paralegals will facilitate coordinating appointments with Help Desk volunteers who are bankruptcy experts and providing brief advice to Help Desk clients.

Responsibilities

Conduct telephone and virtual interviews to determine client eligibility for services Assist with providing brief services to clients including providing advice, obtaining documents, sending client correspondence, assisting with court filings and communicating on behalf of clients Communicate with pro se bankruptcy help desk volunteers and clients to coordinate appointments and provide brief bankruptcy-related advice Ensure smooth operations of the consumer early resolution program and pro se bankruptcy help desk including client registration and advice Provide advice and referrals to individuals not accepted as clients and make appropriate referrals to additional or alternative legal services and to necessary social services Engage and provide administrative support to staff in the consumer early resolution program and pro se bankruptcy help desk Attend training and maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues Track data related to grant, pro bono work, and assist on related reporting Make appropriate referrals inside Legal Aid Chicago and to external partners Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system Other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorneys and Director 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 budgeted salary range for this position is $46,675-$51,428, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited 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 stipend Requirements Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.

Undergraduate degree strongly preferred Computer proficiency, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills The ability to work well under pressure, and to learn and retain new information The ability to quickly and thoroughly gather information from clients and then summarize it concisely A demonstrated interest or experience working with Legal Aid Chicago’s client populations The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers, volunteers, and the community we serve Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn and use new technology as needed.

To Apply : Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience, at least one reference must be a former supervisor. 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, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.

If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at humanresources@legalaidchicago.org. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding an application status. We will contact candidates who are selected for the next stage of the hiring process.