Overview
This opportunity is for potential Skadden or Equal Justice Works Fellows seeking a host organization for their fellowship application. Candidates who will be 3Ls, recent law graduates, or judicial clerks in the fall of 2026 are encouraged to apply.
Organization Background
The organization has provided free civil legal assistance to individuals living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago for over 50 years. Its attorneys, volunteers, and staff address civil legal issues such as domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. The organization is committed to ensuring that poverty does not prevent access to justice by removing legal barriers that perpetuate inequality.
Responsibilities
- Provide civil legal services to low-income clients
- Conduct legal research and writing
- Engage in court advocacy
- Collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment
Qualifications
- Experience with or demonstrated commitment to civil legal services
- Excellent research, writing, and court advocacy skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting
- Oral proficiency in languages other than English is highly valued
- Personal or professional experience with, or demonstrated commitment to, communities served, including people living in poverty
Required Credentials
- Illinois law license or eligibility to become licensed in Illinois, or
- Completion of at least two years of law school credit at an ABA-accredited institution
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320
- Budgeted salary for this position is $70,822, reflecting 0-1 years of paid, credited experience
Benefits include:
- Additional stipend for bilingual attorneys
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance effective from the first day of employment
- 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year
- 19 paid holidays, including 4 floating holidays
- Twelve weeks of paid parental leave at 100% salary after six months of employment
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution after one year
- $50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance at no cost
- Access to Employee Assistance Program resources at no cost
- Monthly internet reimbursement
- Eligibility for the federal public service loan forgiveness program
Location
The position is based in Chicago, IL, with some remote work allowed.