Staff Attorney

ATTORNEY POSITION (Education Equity)

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, a not-for-profit organization with a long and successful history of civil rights enforcement and advocacy, seeks an attorney to join our legal team and work to address systemic racism and advance economic opportunity, applying creative legal strategies through a community-driven advocacy model. The attorney will serve in the position as a Program Counsel or Senior Counsel depending on years of legal experience.

Initially, the attorney will work substantially with our Education Equity team and report to the Education Equity Program Director. Our Education Equity team works to address racial and economic inequities in public school resourcing and uses a variety of litigation and advocacy tools to address denial of equal education opportunities, particularly policies and practices disproportionately impacting students of color. The attorney will be expected to work as needed with colleagues to advance our work in other core practice areas, including fair housing, equitable community development, voting rights and economic justice. Over time and depending on organizational needs, the attorney’s work may shift into a different principal area.

Founded in 1969, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee is Chicago’s preeminent non-profit civil rights legal organization. Our mission and strategic direction explicitly focus on racial equity and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights. We provide legal representation through in-house staff and long-standing partnerships with over 30 member law firms. Located in downtown Chicago, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee has a 20-member staff and a $3+ million annual budget with a diverse mix of funding sources.

The Program Counsel or Senior Counsel position is an exciting opportunity for an experienced attorney who can bring vision, talent, and enthusiasm to the role at a time when protection and advancement of civil rights is needed more than ever. Candidates should have a strong commitment to community lawyering and be able to share examples of relationship building and collaboration with community-based partners. The attorney must demonstrate a passion for racial equity and community empowerment, and possess the skills needed to be a successful advocate, as well as an effective manager of projects.

Duties include

• Represent clients and community organizations in legal matters involving civil rights and racial justice.
• Partner with colleagues, community organizations and coalitions on legislative, policy and administrative advocacy seeking to advance equitable educational opportunities
• Work with the Education Equity team to develop and advance impact litigation and advocacy to address denial of equal education opportunities, particularly policies and practices disproportionately impacting students of color.
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with organizations and coalitions from communities impacted by systemic racism.
• Plan and participate in community education and outreach in support of advocacy goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify intersections and develop integrated advocacy approaches that advance racial equity and economic opportunity for the clients and communities we serve.

Qualifications

• Law degree and admission to the Illinois Bar or eligible for admission by motion.
• Preferred 5+ years combined experience with litigation or policy advocacy in the field of civil rights and racial justice; experience with education law preferred.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• High degree of flexibility, ability to multi-task, and significant initiative.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to details and accuracy.
• Excellent people skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
• Cross cultural competencies and self-awareness around issues of power, privilege, and difference.
• A demonstrated commitment to racial justice.
• Prior experience or demonstrated commitment to working with community organizations and coalitions.
• Skills in Spanish, or another language other than English, valued.

Salary and Benefits: Salary range is $70,000 - $90,000 per year depending on experience. Generous benefits include PTO and paid leave; health, dental, and vision plans; employer-provided life and disability insurance; and a retirement savings plan. Please note that we currently offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement, with a requirement of one day per week in the office on a designated anchor day along with the option to work up to 4 days remotely.

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prioritize equity and inclusion in our organizational culture and hiring, and we value candidates with lived experience in the communities we serve. We welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, service in the military, or other identity factor.