Supervised by: Director of the Family Law Program

Status: Part-time

ASCEND JUSTICE is seeking a part-time attorney in the Family Law Program to work specifically with women and gender-expansive clients who have been incarcerated or are under correctional control. This role involves screening potential clients for legal issues in a wide variety of areas, with an increased focus on family law. This position involves a partnership between Ascend Justice and the Women’s Justice Institute supporting the City of Chicago’s first Community Reentry Support Center (CRSC) specifically for women and gender-expansive people who are impacted by the criminal legal system. 

This role involves:

• Providing screenings for a minimum of six to eight potential clients each month to identify potential legal issues in areas related to family law, order of protection, immigration, family defense, economic justice, social security, public benefits, housing law, and criminal records. 
• Create a referral network for identified legal issues outside of Ascend Justice program areas.
• Facilitate internal referrals for potential clients with identified legal issues within Ascend Justice priorities.
• Carry a caseload of 8-10 cases related to family law with varying levels of service, including advice, brief services, drafting of court documents, and full representation in court. 

This position involves a hybrid schedule, with some work in person either at the offices of Ascend Justice (177 N. State Street, Chicago) or at the Women’s Justice Institute’s Reclamation Center (2150 S. Canal port, Chicago). While some work hours are set, the position involves a high degree of flexibility in terms of scheduling. Some evening or weekend hours may be required, including one Saturday per month. This position will also include some travel throughout the city of Chicago.  An ideal candidate will have prior legal experience in family law and/or working with survivors impacted by gender-based violence and/or incarceration.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide screenings for legal needs for clients impacted by the criminal legal system and reentering the city of Chicago.
• Provide a variety of advice and brief service appointments, including preparation of court documents.
• Manage a caseload of ongoing cases at varying levels of service, including in-court representation.
• Deliver services according to principles of trauma-informed care.
• Perform intake functions, interviewing potential clients to evaluate cases for representation.
• Maintain client files, noting all deadlines, communications, and other relevant information.
• Coordinate with the agency’s Client Support Coordinator and other colleagues to ensure that clients receive seamless, holistic services.
• Supervise volunteers including attorneys, students and interns.

Other Responsibilities

• Actively participate in required staff meetings and trainings.
• Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks, participating in professional organizations.
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Work Environment

• Courthouse and offices are fully accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required, and those may not necessarily be fully accessible.
• Evening, weekend, and overnight work/travel are occasionally required, including a minimum of one Saturday per month.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer.
• Smoke- and drug-free environment.