Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.
The goal of this initiative is to provide a comprehensive, long-term approach to reduce homicides resulting from gun violence. This framework brings together community-driven strategies that empower community-based organizations to intervene with those individuals at the highest risk of driving the violence while working with the overall resident population to transform perceptions and realities of their community. This holistic framework responds to high-risk incidents while also being proactive in preventing situations. A goal of this strategy is to increase the collaboration of community-based organizations across communities:
We are now hiring for a full-time Staff Attorney to join our CP4P Justice Corps Team!
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Work closely with our MPI programs to provide the highest quality holistic services on behalf of the agency.
- Interviews clients; using complex analytical and research skills, identifies legal problems; advises clients of options and provides legal advice, often under stressful conditions.
- Advocates and negotiates with adverse parties to favorably resolve cases for clients. Communicates with opposing attorneys, judicial officers, government officials and others as necessary.
- Only complex cases require direct supervision.
- In constant communication with a large number of clients.
- Drafts and prepares legal documents, discovery material, agreements, and court pleadings.
- Represents clients in litigation proceedings in a resourceful and creative manner.
- Prepares and tries routine cases without supervision.
- Using independent judgment makes tactical decisions in courtroom settings.
- Prepares clients and witnesses for trial, depositions, and other proceedings.
- Handles full caseload of varying complexity.
- Familiar with case handling strategy and availability of judicial and non-judicial resources in area of legal specialty.
- Identifies and brings to supervisor’s attention systemic issues affecting clients and communities.
- Provides consultation and support to agency staff in areas of specialization.
- Assists in training other attorneys and paralegals and may supervise law students, paralegals and volunteers.
- Participates in educational and public relations activities relating to the Legal Aid Society and Metropolitan Family Services.
- Serves on program and/or agency-wide committees as needed.
- Acts as an ambassador for the agency and assists with fundraising as needed.
- Routine travel between Loop office and community-partner site(s).
- Works effectively with diverse staff and service population.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Law Degree and admission to the Illinois Bar, required.
- One-Two years of relevant experience in public interest law and community lawyering, required.
- Experience working in legal aid setting and demonstrated commitment to poverty law matters.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Highly developed work management skills.
- Must be able to work independently.
- Employment with MFS requires proof of vaccination or an approved Medical exemption, required.
- Must have access to a vehicle, valid driver’s license and proof of insurance to perform essential job functions, required.
- Must be able to respond to large numbers of clients in a professional and empathetic manner.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups and build community partnerships.
- Second language highly desired.
- Must have valid driver’s license and be willing to work in communities across Chicago.
- Must be committed to our peace initiatives and able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team including legal, social, and behavioral health specialists.
- More information about our CP4P program can be found here: https://www.metrofamily.org/cp4p/.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved Medical is obtained, weekly testing may be required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
- The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
- The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
SALARY:
- Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $62,905
Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
- Dental and Vision Insurance Options
- 12 paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401K Plan
- Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
- Wellness Initiative Program
- Employee Assistance Network
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)