Director - Low Income Tax Clinic
Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. (PSLS) is a non-profit legal services organization with 40 years of experience providing quality legal services to low-income persons, currently with twelve field offices in 36 counties in northern and central Illinois. Our expertise extends to tax, family law, public benefits, consumer law, health, and education. In housing matters, we specialize in fair housing/housing discrimination, foreclosure defense, landlord-tenant disputes, and federally subsidized housing rights. We have maintained multi-year special projects, with diverse funding to provide legal advocacy services to persons with HIV/AIDS; disabled children and adults; the elderly; the homeless; victims of domestic violence and many others. Annually, Prairie State handles over 18,000 applications fo legal help and serves over 12,000 clients.
We pride ourselves on fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative and fun, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth. PSLS believes in providing the highest quality of legal representation to its clients.
LOCATION: The Director will work out of our Wheaton, Illinois office, but we would consider any of our other offices that best meet the needs of the firm and the candidate. See all 12 locations at www.pslegal.org. The Clinic serves all 36 counties in our service area. The Director will have the advantage of being part of a 79-lawyer firm committed to addressing legal issues that have an impact on clients’ basic needs.
JOB SUMMARY: PSLS invites applications for the Director of our Low Income Tax Clinic (LITC). The LITC represents low-income taxpayers in disputes with the IRS regarding federal income tax liability. The Clinic consists of a Director and a staff attorney who evaluate cases and represent clients in a wide range of controversies. The Director is responsible for all Clinic activities including client representation, supervision of the staff attorney, interns and volunteers, community outreach, fundraising, training, and grant reporting and preparation. The LITC receives its funding in part by a grant from the Internal Revenue Service (since 2011).
RESPONSIBILITIES: Through the efforts described below, the Director will have a lasting impact on service to low-income taxpayers in northern and central Illinois. Among other duties as assigned, the Director will:
- Interview applicants for legal services and assess their tax issues. We frequently represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, requests for innocent spouse relief, collection matters, denials of available deductions and credits (including the Earned Income Tax Credit); and tax problems stemming from identity theft, worker misclassification, and deceptive tax schemes. Although our LITC is not a tax preparation service, preparation of prior years’ tax returns is often necessary to resolve a taxpayer’s controversy.
- Provide legal services for clients through legal research, counsel and advice, litigation (primarily in the U.S. Tax Court), advocacy before the IRS or other administrative agencies, and systemic advocacy on issues having an impact on low-income and ESL taxpayers.
- Supervise the LITC Staff Attorney, as well as recruit, train and supervise interns and volunteers.
- Manage the LITC budget.
- Develop pro bono resources to help serve our clients, educate community members about tax issues in collaboration with volunteers and social service agencies, and train legal services attorneys on the intersection of tax law with other areas in which they practice.
- Develop and maintain networking relationships with local bar associations and with local, state and federal governments and community agencies that serve our client population.
- Track data required by funders, keep accurate records on service delivery and prepare and submit funding proposals and grant reports to the IRS and other sources.
- Exhibit a high level of personal energy, organization and commitment to the position and the PSLS mission.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Full-time position, 37.5 hours per week, minimum. Competitive salary with other legal non-profits, DOE. Excellent health, dental and leave benefits
LOCATION: Wheaton, IL or other PSLS office locations
QUALIFICATIONS:
J.D. degree after graduation from an ABA-accredited law school and admitted to practice law in Illinois, or admitted in another state and eligible for reciprocity in Illinois. Admission to U.S. Tax Court. A demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice and serving disadvantaged populations.
Candidates must have at least 3 years of practice experience resolving tax controversies such as cases involving entitlements to credits and deductions and pursuing collection remedies such as offers in compromise, installment agreements, and innocent spouse relief. Preferably, the candidate will also have tax preparation experience.
This position requires a candidate who is detail oriented with strong interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication skills. He/she should be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, have demonstrated organizational and case management skills and the ability to supervise others effectively. Local travel is required, with a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Send a letter explaining your interest and experience and your resume, as well as a list of three professional references, and a writing sample (no more than 10 pages) to:
Prairie State Legal Services
303 N. Main St., Ste. 600
Rockford, IL 61101