Job Description:

The Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is seeking an Attorney to provide legal representation and advocacy for individuals, children and families experiencing homeless and work to advance racial equity.

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is a 39-year-old systemic advocacy organization. CCH develops campaigns and initiatives to address the causes of homelessness – lack of affordable housing, lack of access to health care and services and lack of jobs paying a living wage. We place much emphasis on organizing and developing leaders within the homeless population to become spokespersons and leaders of our various initiatives. CCH does its work in accordance with its organizational values – collaboration, integrity, strategic action, compassion, and intersectionality. We recognize that homelessness is a problem that stems from systemic racism and that biases and prejudices are embedded in the fabric of society, and thus, also permeate organizations like ours. CCH is committed to advancing racial equity in the workplace, through the work of our racial equity committee, and through the campaigns and initiatives we choose.

 The Law Project is a program of CCH that provides free legal services to people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. The Law Project’s work includes educational rights for students who are homeless, a mobile legal clinic to provide legal services to homeless youth, including access to health care and civil rights for people living on the street.

Job Responsibilities:
  • Provide direct legal representation to children, families and youth experiencing homelessness in education-related and other disputes, street-based individuals in civil rights claims, and people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in other civil legal matters.
  • Conduct regular weekly or monthly outreach to homeless individuals living on the street and in shelter.
  • Develop and implement strategies to address systemic civil rights issues impacting homeless persons, including access to housing and education.
  • Participate in local and state-level coalitions and campaigns to promote policies and laws that impact the civil and human rights of homeless individuals and families.
  • Develop and conduct trainings for attorneys and other professionals on the legal rights of homeless persons.
  • Assist in monitoring and implementing various consent decrees.
  • Work in collaboration with all CCH departments. CCH believes strongly in interdepartmental collaboration and expects all staff to work in close partnership with the other departments at the organization
Qualifications:

We are looking for candidates who have the following qualifications:  

Required:

  • J.D. degree and licensed to practice law in Illinois
  • Mid-level attorney with experience in public interest law
  • Experience in one of the following areas of law: housing, education, public benefits, civil rights and/or family law. In addition to professional experience in these areas, experience can include personal experience with homelessness, poverty and other issues affecting our clients.
  • Experience working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds
  • Experience working in communities impacted by poverty and a desire to spend a significant amount of time out in the community providing legal services and engaging in outreach
  • Experience and interest in working collaboratively and as part of a team
  • Self-direction and self-motivation and the ability to work independently
  • Strong research and writing skills

Preferred:

  • Litigation and administrative hearing experience, including experience managing and implementing consent decrees
  • Experience or interest in working in a legal setting that also provides social work services and/or social work experience
Salary Range:

$55,000 to $65,000, depending on experience

Excellent benefits, including health, four weeks paid vacation, and a sabbatical program.

To Apply:

Please send resume, cover letter, writing sample and references to Patricia Nix-Hodes at lawproject@chicagohomeless.org. Please put “Attorney Application” in the subject line.

 

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength and recognizes and values the intersectional identities that staff members bring to our organization. We are enriched by the diverse experiences, beliefs, and ways of thinking that employees of different backgrounds bring.

People of color and people who have experienced homelessness or poverty are strongly encouraged to apply. Fair consideration is given to all qualified applicants regardless of criminal record. CCH is committed to providing equal employment consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, any other legally protected status.