Staff Attorney – Criminal Records Relief

Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) is dedicated to serving the legal needs of low-income individuals affected by the criminal legal system. The Staff Attorney will implement CGLA's priorities in criminal records practice, representing clients in matters related to expungement and sealing, while also training and assisting fellows and volunteers to ensure quality legal services.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct legal services to CGLA clients in criminal records matters including at the virtual and in-person Expungement Help Desks, preparing petitions for self-represented litigants seeking to expunge and/or seal their juvenile and criminal records and advising them on next steps
• Cultivate and manage relationships with court and clerk personnel, workforce development agencies and other community-based organizations that have formal partnerships with CGLA
• Represent and advocate for partner clients in civil or criminal legal matters, assisting with housing law, family law, and criminal law cases as co-counsel with supervisory approval
• Schedule and conduct periodic visits to partner organizations to conduct staff training and on-site legal services at the agreed upon frequency defined in written agreements with partner agencies
• Collaborate with assigned Client Support Services team member to improve overall outcomes for clients who present social services needs according to screening criteria
• Represent self-represented litigants as a “friend of the court” during in-person and virtual court hearings at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court and other courthouses
• Assist in onboarding and training new staff, interns and volunteers
• Oversee the work of volunteer attorneys and law students at CGLA’s Criminal Records Help Desks at the Daley Center and Markham Courthouse
• Maintain up-to-date client information in CGLA’s case management system
• Assist with developing educational materials relating to criminal records matters
• Conduct in-person and online training classes for clients, volunteers, courts, partner organizations and other personnel as assigned
• Provide in-person advice, support, presentations and training at community and statewide criminal records forums and at community outreach and educational events
• Assist the Pro Bono Team in completing follow-up work for self-represented litigants as assigned
• Attend CLE classes and legal community meetings on relevant legal and social justice topics
• Work with the department supervisor to ensure all program goals are met each fiscal year
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois
• Entry Level to 3 years practice experience, preferably in criminal law
• Experience with Microsoft suite of products
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Be self-driven, highly energetic and innovative
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, interns and volunteers
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and produce quality results
• Superior interpersonal skills; comfortable working with a diverse population
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally
• Exemplary organizational skills and keen attention to detail
• Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, 40 hours per week
• Non-traditional hours – occasional weekends and evenings – are required
• Communicate clearly
• Understand the speech of another person
• Must be able to handle high levels of mental stress
• The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type, handle, or feel and reach
• The employee is regularly required to stand and walk
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Travel to the Richard J. Daley Center, the Markham Courthouse, and the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center is required
• Travel to the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse and the Suburban Municipal District Courthouses may be required
• Travel to external workforce development organizations, anti-violence organizations, and other community-based organizations throughout Chicago and Cook County is also required
• Travel to other Illinois counties occasionally required
• Spanish language skills

Benefits

• Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health insurance
• Vision Service Plan – Vision insurance
• Principal Dental insurance
• 100% employer paid life insurance
• (EAP) Employee Assistance Program
• Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts
• Pet insurance
• Pre-Tax Programs for parking
• Local transit for Ventra and Metra and UberPool
• Vanguard 403(b) retirement matching
• Generous Paid Time-off
• Floating Holidays
• 15 paid holidays per year
• Summer Fridays by closing the office early

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