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Children and Families Temporary Staff Attorney Juvenile Expungement

Description: 

For 50 years, LAF (formerly Legal Assistance Foundation) has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year LAF’s over 70 attorneys and staff help resolve legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, unfair evictions, and juvenile expungements. Our work impacts more than 40,000 people each year. For nearly 10 years LAF has coordinated the Juvenile Expungement Help Desk at the Juvenile Court advising and representing persons seeking juvenile expungements. Historically juvenile law enforcement and court records in Illinois have been confidential in most cases. Yet they have prevented some people from getting jobs, professional licensing, housing and other benefits. In 2017 Illinois enacted Public Act 100-0285 which will become effective January 1, 2018. The law provides new rights to persons with juvenile records and defines remedies for violations of juvenile record confidentiality. The law makes some expungements automatic and others more accessible. This position will focus on this new law and how to facilitate expungements and community engagement in light of the dramatic changes it brings.

Job Description The attorney will utilize the revised Juvenile Court Act provisions on confidentiality and expungement to increase education, housing, and employment opportunities for persons with juvenile records as follows:
• Collaborate with LAF’s VISTA attorney to conduct outreach and expungement clinics based on the new law in schools and communities across County.
• Advise and represent clients in expunging juvenile records and preventing illegal dissemination and use of juvenile court records.
• Collaborate with court and community partners to increase access to expungements.
• Use information from clients and community partners to improve the juvenile expungement process.
• Participate in staffing the help desk and supervise law students who provide advice and representation under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 to persons seeking expungement.

Requirements: 

Qualifications: The successful applicant will be collegial, well-organized, and able to communicate effectively with people from diverse segments of society. The candidate should have a demonstrated commitment to public interest law, a connection to our client communities, and familiarity with LAF’s client population. Applicants must have a J.D. degree, and be a member of the Illinois bar. Fluency in Spanish helpful. Salary: Salary depends on experience; fringe benefits include health and dental insurance.

To Apply: 

Applications: Send resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for two professional references by e-mail, to: resume@lafchicago.org. Put the phrase “Temporary Staff Attorney Juvenile Expungement” on the subject line of the e-mail. No phone calls, please. Applications considered as submitted. Position open until filled. LAF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY

Information

Submission Deadline: 
January 31, 2018
Organization Information: 
LAF
120 S. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60603
United States