Staff Attorney – Consumer: Early Resolution Program

Staff Attorney

Consumer Practice Group
(Internal and External)

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 staff attorney in the Consumer Practice Group. This position is
funded by and will support our work with the Early Resolution Program with Cook County Legal Aid for
Housing and Debt (CCLAHD), a county-wide initiative to help resolve eviction, foreclosure, debt, and tax
deed issues.

The Early Resolution Program for consumer debt provides brief services to consumer debtors in Cook
County in order to advise them of their rights, equip them with basic pro se materials, provide referrals, and
assist them in reaching agreements with creditors.

The start date for this position is February 2022.

Responsibilities:

Provide legal representation to clients facing debt collection, with an emphasis on brief services in
debt collection matters including advice and negotiation

Prepare and deliver appropriate pro se materials
Conduct necessary outreach and communications with all six municipal district court personnel
Assist with operation of the consumer debt early resolution program
Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff, students and volunteers to provide comprehensive

legal services
Track data related to grant and assist on related reporting
Maintain case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system
Other duties as assigned by the Supervisory Attorneys and the Director

Qualifications:
Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in Illinois (or will be sworn into

the Illinois bar in January 2022), or be licensed in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar.
Experience in consumer debt is preferred
Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client

counseling skills

The successful applicant will be collegial, well-organized, 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.

Applicants must have excellent communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure.

Salary: Commensurate with experience. Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package,
including low-cost employer-paid health plan options, employer-provided group life and long-term
disability insurance, fitness center access, generous paid time off, and much more.

To Apply: Send your cover letter, resume, law school transcript (unofficial ok), short writing sample (3-5
pages), and the contact information of two professional references to: resume@legalaidchicago.org. Please
place “Consumer ERP Attorney” in the subject line of your e-mail. Applications will be reviewed on a
rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. No phone calls, please.

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 identity, sexual orientation, age religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political

affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, or ex-offender status. Applicants who have experiences
with our client communities are encouraged to apply.