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This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/12179476

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:Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time paralegal in our Medical-Legal Partnerships Group (MLP). MLPs work directly with hospitals and health care providers to address social determinants having the greatest negative consequences for client-patients health and well-being. The open position is with Recovery Legal Care, a partnership with UChicago Hospitals Trauma Center. This position requires regular on-site rotation at UChicago Hospital and meeting directly with patients recovering from violent injury (most often firearm-related). Trauma-informed practices, including managing vicarious trauma and self-care, are essential. This position reports to a Supervisory Attorney.

The MLP team handles a wide range of public benefits legal issues, such as advocating for crime victims compensation from the State of Illinois, challenging wrongful denials, terminations, and other issues concerning benefits from the Department of Human Services including SNAP, TANF, AABD Cash, and Medicaid, as well as SSI and disability benefits issues with the Social Security Administration. The team also collaborates with Legal Aid Chicagos Practice Groups to address legal issues impacting housing, employment, personal safety, immigration, criminal records (expungement/sealing), and consumer/financial.

Responsibilities:

• Interview eligible clients on a wide range of legal issues by phone and on site at hospitals or health clinics
• Under attorney supervision, maintain an individual caseload with an emphasis on assisting clients with issues at the Social Security Administration, Illinois Department of Human Services and other state agencies that administer public benefits
• Attend weekly team meetings, and other meetings as scheduled
• Attend trainings to grow and maintain knowledge in relevant areas of law
• Develop understanding about health harming legal issues affecting our patient/client population
• Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff to provide comprehensive legal services
• Work collaboratively with medical teams to support the MLP service model
• Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Maintain the same ethical standards of conduct required of attorneys
• Provide litigation support for attorneys and assist with administrative tasks as needed
• Track data and prepare reports related to our work and other grant administration
• Engage in community outreach, provide legal training and provider education for our health partners, and assist with data collection and reporting to our health partners
• Maintain proficiency with all equipment, computer hardware and software necessary to perform duties
• Handle ot er duties as determined by the Supervisory Attorneys and leadership team.

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 reimbu