Illinois Legal Aid Online · 6 hours ago
Senior Attorney - Civil Rights - Equip for Equality
United States
Full-time
Remote
Senior Level
$86K/yr - $128K/yr
7+ years expEquip for Equality is seeking an experienced attorney to join their Civil Rights Team, focusing on civil rights litigation and advocacy for people with disabilities in the criminal legal systems. The Senior Attorney will manage litigation cases, advocate for clients, and mentor staff while working primarily in a remote capacity.
Law EnforcementLegalNon Profit
Responsibilities
Advance the rights of people with disabilities impacted by criminal systems through individual and systemic civil rights advocacy
Take a primary role in advancing our existing docket of system litigation matters, including litigation and consent decree enforcement
Advocate for incarcerated or institutionalized clients and develop litigation and other systemic strategies
Manage a significant workload with a wide range of responsibilities, including client interviews; legal advice and informal advocacy; formal investigations and negotiations; and litigation
Mentor staff attorneys, paralegals, and others, including providing attorney review of intake and self-assistance advocacy work
Conduct project management for a grant to provide legal services to communities impacted by incarceration
Work in a timely and efficient manner to develop effective strategies on disability rights issues within our priorities and provide meaningful client legal services
Travel as needed throughout Illinois, with a particular focus on the Southern and Central regions, to conduct jail and prison monitoring investigations and to engage with clients and other stakeholders
Engage regularly with people with disabilities to provide person-centered advocacy rooted in the lived experiences of the clients we serve
Qualification
Required
A law degree from an accredited law school
A license to practice law in Illinois, or admission to the Illinois State Bar within one year of employment
A minimum of seven years of civil legal practice
Experience working with marginalized and criminalized populations, with an emphasis on ability to work inside facilities and with clients experiencing current crisis
Strong communication and organizational skills, including for collaborative work, litigation, strategic planning and effective advocacy
Creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving approaches
Ability to work collaboratively on a team as well as to self-direct
Preferred
Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and understanding of criminal legal systems
Experience working with people with disabilities, including mental illness, and those impacted by criminal legal systems
Fluency in Spanish
Experience with complex negotiations and federal court litigation, including systemic and class litigation
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, retirement plan, and generous paid leave.
Company
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Illinois Legal Aid Online is a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance and advice for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Amy Clark
Community Engagement Director
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