Intake Attorney - Housing

Description

 For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has served as a leading law firm, court and community partner, and stakeholder. Through our expertise, innovation, and strategic relationships, Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal services to people experiencing poverty and other barriers to stability. Our legal advocacy advances safety, stability, and opportunity for individuals and families across Cook County and the State of Illinois. With more than 115 full-time attorneys on staff, Legal Aid Chicago is uniquely positioned to address both individual client needs and systemic challenges within the areas where we practice.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 200 N. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

The Housing Practice Group (HPG) seeks to ensure that tenants live in decent, safe, and sanitary housing, free from discrimination, through litigation, negotiation, and advocacy in various venues. HPG defends tenants – mostly subsidized housing residents - against unwarranted evictions and represents individuals and families who are facing the termination of their housing subsidies.

Position:

Legal Aid Chicago seeks four full-time Intake Attorneys for our Housing Practice Group (HPG). These positions primarily involve interviewing tenants in eviction court, issue-spotting, and providing legal advice and brief services. The intake attorney screens applicants for eligibility, assesses their legal issues, and provides other support.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct court-based intakes for clients facing eviction
• Interview clients remotely to gather facts and analyze their eviction cases
• Collect and review documents and provide legal advice, counseling, and brief services for clients such as drafting letters, contacting third parties to negotiate potential settlements
• Review electronic case files
• Provide legal consultation to tenants
• Summarize and present cases at staff meetings
• Track data related to grant administration and assist with related reporting
• Maintain case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Participate in trainings to agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services and rights impacting low-income and other vulnerable people
• Handle other 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 budgeted salary range for this position is $70,822-$77,872, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bilingual Intake Attorneys 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 reimbursement
• Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program 

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.

Requirements

• Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in Illinois, be licensed in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar, or expect to be sworn in to the Illinois Bar following the July 2026 exam
• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills and genuinely enjoy interacting with clients
• 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 communities we serve
• Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure
• Applicants must have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team
•  Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn and use new technology as needed.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, 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.