Temporary Paralegal - Public Benefits (HIV+ Legal Project)

Description:

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.

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 throughout the city for outreach activities and client interaction.

Legal Aid Chicago’s HIV+ Legal Project seeks to meet the comprehensive civil legal needs of people living with HIV.

Position

Legal Aid Chicago seeks a paralegal within our Public Benefits Practice Group. This is a temporary, part-time (50%) position that will last no longer than six months and is expected to end on February 28, 2026. The paralegal will focus on administrative functions associated with the HIV+ Legal Project such as the Intake Process, Grant Compliance and Community Outreach and will report to a Supervisory Attorney, and is responsible for the following tasks:

Responsibilities without limitation

• Coordinate Legal Aid Chicago’s dedicated HIV+ Legal Project Intake system conducting intake and comprehensive legal screening for potential new clients.
• Coordinate Legal Aid Chicago’s HIV+ Legal Project Community Advisory Board working with CAB members to plan meetings.
• Assist Clients in completing forms required by HIV+ Legal Project funders.
• Provide administrative and litigation support to attorneys including, but not limited to drafting letters, pleadings, discovery, records requests; creating outreach materials; and maintaining paper files and intake materials.
• Provide advice and referrals to individuals.
• Participate in maintaining good community relations by acting as a liaison between community groups and the Legal Aid Chicago staff.
• Maintain knowledge of the case acceptance criteria of the Public Benefits Practice group and other Legal Aid Chicago practice groups to facilitate appropriate internal referrals.
• Maintain case files and accurate case notes and timekeeping in electronic case management system.
• Track data related to grants and assist with grant reporting.
• Maintain proficiency with equipment and technology necessary to perform the duties of the position, and
• Other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorney and Director.

Salary and Benefits:

The budgeted salary range for this position is $22,880-$25,369, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience. This position is not eligible for benefits.

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.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, great client counseling skills and genuine desire to interact with clients.
• Knowledge of and experience with public benefits issues and the unique legal needs of people living with HIV is valued and should be highlighted in the cover letter and resume.
• The successful applicant will be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter.
• 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 we serve.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure, independently and as part of a team.

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.