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Supervising Attorney - Pro Bono Services

September 24, 2024

Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they can’t afford a lawyer. It’s our mission to change that.

PSLS is currently seeking a Supervising Attorney – Pro Bono Services. This role reports to the Director of Pro Bono Services. It is responsible for assisting the Director of Pro Bono Services in the development and management of a pro bono program that uses volunteers to support the work of the organization to allow the organization to expand its reach and achieve its mission of providing equal access to justice and legal support to underserved communities throughout PSLS’ service area.

PSLS is the only legal aid organization in the majority of our area, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal services to our clients while supporting a work environment that is motivating, collaborative, and rewarding, with opportunities for professional growth.

Responsibilities
The Supervising Attorney – Pro Bono Services will be assigned a variety of responsibilities, including:

  • Assists Director of Pro Bono Services in interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new department employees
  • Oversees volunteer recruitment and retention strategies as assigned by the Director of Pro Bono Services
  • Assists Director of Pro Bono Services in providing guidance and mentorship to Pro Bono Coordinators
  • Assists the Director of Pro Bono Services and Manager of Training in developing and presenting training programs to volunteers
  • Attends weekly pro bono unit CAM and assists Director of Pro Bono Services in reviewing cases to determine appropriateness for and scope of pro bono representation
  • Reviewing volunteer work for individual cases as needed
  • Handling other issues that arise throughout the course of a pro bono case that require attorney input/oversight

Salary and Benefits
The Supervising Attorney – Pro Bono Services position is full-time at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a salary that is competitive with similar organizations. Our Supervising Attorney salary starts at $82,500 to $106,344 annually for newly licensed attorneys and increases with each year of relevant experience. PSLS is committed to providing an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to its full-time employees that includes:

  • Health insurance, including the opportunity to qualify for a wellness credit
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • 403b retirement plan, including employer contributions
  • Training and education programs
  • PTO that starts at 3 weeks/year and increases with additional years worked at PSLS
  • Paid sick leave
  • 6 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
  • 12 paid holidays

Qualifications

  • Currently admitted to the practice of law in the State of Illinois or admitted in another state and eligible for reciprocity in Illinois
  • 5+ years of legal experience
  • People leadership experience
  • People leadership experience
  • Demonstrated relationship-building, networking, and outreach skills
  • Ability to work effectively as a team member
  • Candidates with Spanish language proficiency are highly preferred
  • Some travel is required; applicant must have a valid driver's license and/or reliable transportation
  • We will give preference to candidates who have experience providing services to low-income individuals

Application Details – Resumes until position is filled
Please indicate “Supervising Attorney – Pro Bono Services” in the subject line and email a letter identifying your office preference and explaining your interest and experience, resume, and three references to careers@pslegal.org.

Prairie State Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity, expression or presentation, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.

The Organization
PSLS is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization that has served northern and central Illinois for more than 45 years, maintains 11 office locations, and has a staff of over 200, including training and litigation staff with extensive experience. Our 36-county service area includes rural communities, suburban areas, and mid-size urban cities, which necessitates the development of diverse strategies, and we encourage our staff to cultivate and utilize creative approaches to reach and serve our client population. Employees of PSLS benefit from the expertise and community connections of their local office staff, along with robust program-wide resources. We strive to provide an array of services responsive to the needs of our clients. PSLS has excellent fiscal controls and upholds the highest rating from Charity Navigator and Guidestar. For more information regarding PSLS services and operations, please visit our website at https://pslegal.org.