Job Title:
Staff Attorney - Public Benefits (Veterans' Rights Project)
Job Responsibilities:
The Staff Attorney in the Public Benefits Practice Group within the Veterans’ Rights Project is responsible for:
- Maintaining a caseload of individual cases representing clients before the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Illinois Department of Human Services, and in state and federal courts.
- Acting as a subject matter expert concerning Veterans Benefits and civil legal issues affecting veterans within the practice group.
- Interviewing eligible clients on issues handled within the practice group and providing advice and brief service in appropriate cases.
- Participating in weekly team meetings to present new cases and reach team consensus on representation.
- Working with other practice group staff in interdisciplinary work.
- Maintaining knowledge in other areas of law handled by the organization to ensure that clients’ legal needs are identified and met.
- Participating in complex litigation or advocacy to address systemic issues.
- Collaborating with organization staff, students, and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services.
- Helping organize and operate the intake system and veterans’ clinic and working with pro bono attorneys.
- Collaborating on projects that could involve outreach to community groups, developing new strategies for serving clients, or addressing systemic issues through litigation, negotiation, or advocacy.
- Participating in community outreach and supporting legal training and community education for clients and community partners that serve veterans.
- Maintaining case files and timekeeping in the electronic case management system.
- Assisting with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable.
- Handling other duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and the Director.
Education and Experience:
- Preference for applicants licensed to practice law in Illinois or licensed in another state (and able to waive into the Illinois bar or be willing to sit for the next Illinois bar).
- Applicant must either be a VA accredited attorney or be eligible and willing to complete steps to become one.
- Strong preference for applicants who have demonstrated interest or experience working with veterans.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills.
- The successful applicant should be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with client communities and/or people living in poverty.
- The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers, and the community served.
- Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure and independently as well as part of a team.
Salary Information:
The position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience. The budgeted salary range for this position is $68,072-$76,300, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.
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- Bilingual Staff Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment.
- 15 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.
- 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.
- The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program.
