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Staff Attorney- Education Law

Description: 

For more than 50 years LAF has provided people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago with comprehensive free legal services to resolve non-criminal issues. Each year LAF’s attorneys, paralegals, volunteers, and other staff resolve civil legal problems for people living in poverty, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, education, and unfair evictions. Their work impacts over 30,000 people each year. LAF is seeking a staff attorney in the Children and Families Practice Group at LAF. The attorney will primarily represent clients in cases involving special education and school discipline. The attorney will also work on cases involving juvenile record expungements and child welfare. Responsibilities include representing education clients at school special education meetings, administrative due process hearings pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, administrative expulsion hearings, and state or federal court proceedings. The position also includes court advocacy in child welfare and juvenile record expungement, and representation in administrative proceedings involving the child welfare system. The attorney will be involved in outreach on all of the above issues. The attorney should be able to drive and be willing to travel frequently throughout Cook County, often on short notice, to meet with clients, school personnel, and others. Travel expenses will be reimbursed, and other responsibilities adjusted to accommodate travel demands. The attorney will collaborate and advocate for LAF’s clients with other service providers in Illinois and with community-based organizations that serve children and families living in poverty. The attorney will share the work of screening, advising, representing and referring individuals seeking assistance with other staff attorneys, a paralegal, and a supervisory attorney.

Requirements: 

Qualifications: Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in Illinois (or sitting for the February bar exam in Illinois). The successful applicant will be collegial, well-organized, and demonstrate a commitment to working with people living in poverty. Familiarity with the following legal areas strongly preferred but not required: special education, school discipline, and DCFS and Juvenile Court issues. Fluency in Spanish helpful but not required. Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience level. LAF offers generous fringe benefits.

To Apply: 

To apply: Send resume, cover letter, transcript, writing sample, and the names and contact information of two professional references, by e-mail, to resume@lafchicago.org. Put the phrase “Education Law Staff Attorney” in the subject line of the e-mail. No phone calls, please. The deadline for applications is February 28, 2017. The position will remain open until filled. LAF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY

Information

Submission Deadline: 
February 28, 2017
Organization Information: 
LAF
120 S. LaSalle St. Suite #900
Chicago , IL 60603
United States