Senior Attorney job description

Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) was established in 1973 to serve the legal needs arising from the lack of opportunity, criminalization of poverty, and racial inequity experienced within Chicago's Cabrini Green public housing community. Since then, CGLA has grown beyond a single neighborhood to become a citywide, countywide, and statewide leader in proactively filling the void of legal representation, wraparound services, legal information and resources, and advocacy exclusively for low-income individuals negatively impacted by the criminal legal system. Any engagement with the criminal legal system can greatly disrupt an individual, family, and community's quality of life.

CGLA is distinguished among legal aid service providers locally, throughout Illinois, and nationally as having expertise in legal matters related to the direct and collateral consequences of the criminal legal system. Since 2014, we have been the sole legal aid services provider serving Cook County with the distinction of focusing exclusively on individuals and families who have been adversely impacted by the criminal legal system in all legal program areas: criminal records, emerging adults, criminal defense, housing law, and family law. We provide direct legal services, advocate for policy reforms, and provide legal information and resources to other legal aid organizations, pro bono attorneys, and the general public. We also support our clients holistically with wraparound social services from our social workers. Our policy and advocacy work is not performed as a separate entity; rather it is informed by our legal services and the lived experiences of our Leadership Council, an Advisory Group made up of former CGLA clients and community members directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
CGLA’s Mission, Purpose and Vision
Mission: We provide holistic legal services that include social support services and advocacy for individuals and communities negatively impacted by the criminal legal system. Purpose: CGLA exists to remove barriers to equity in the criminal legal system. Vision: A more just and equitable criminal legal system.


Position Overview
Responsibilities include implementing CGLA’s priorities in the criminal records practice, representing clients in criminal records-related matters, training and supervising attorneys, fellows, interns, and volunteers to provide quality legal services and representation.


Essential Duties
Provide direct and brief legal services to CGLA clients in criminal records matters, maintaining a manageable caseload proportionate to other responsibilities. Manage the assignment of attorneys and volunteers and coordinate with State’s Attorneys and court personnel to assist self-represented litigants as a “friend of the court” at court hearings at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building and other courthouses. Supervise attorneys and volunteers in the provision of advice, support, and training to individuals who qualify for relief under the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Develop and deliver legal education and technical assistance to community attorneys and community-based organizations regarding records relief and licensing under the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Supervise attorneys and volunteers in the provision of advice, support, and training regarding alternative forms of criminal records relief, including FDIC waivers, health care worker waivers, certificates of rehabilitation, and other forms of relief. Cultivate and manage relationships with workforce development agencies and other community-based organizations that have formal partnerships with CGLA to provide holistic legal services to clients. Schedule and conduct periodic on-site and virtual visits to partner organizations to conduct staff training and provide legal services. Supervise volunteer attorneys and law students at CGLA’s Criminal Records Help Desks and community summits as assigned. Collaborate with assigned Client Support Services staff to improve client outcomes. Collaborate with attorneys in other CGLA program areas when criminal records clients have civil or criminal defense legal needs, serving as co-counsel on their housing law, family law, and criminal law cases with supervisory approval as caseload capacity allows. Maintain up-to-date client information in CGLA’s case management system to ensure accurate data collection and statistical tracking including timely reporting of outcomes. Assist with developing educational materials relating to criminal records matters and conduct classes for clients, volunteers, courts, partner organizations and other personnel as assigned. Attend CLE classes and legal community meetings on relevant legal and social justice topics. Work with the CGLA leadership team to ensure all program goals are met each fiscal year. Perform other duties as assigned.
Personnel Management
Assist in onboarding and training new staff, interns and volunteers and reviewing their work product. Conduct performance appraisals and quarterly check-ins with direct reports and assigned fellows. Ensure timely, consistent, and detailed performance feedback is provided to each direct report. Ensure direct reports are performing at a satisfactory level. Provide resources and support to address staff’s needs, identify and secure professional development opportunities for staff, provide coaching and supervision, and manage and resolve conflict. Provide training and supervising in-house staff, fellows, interns, and volunteers to assure quality legal representation.
Education
Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school. Licensed to practice law in Illinois by date of employment.


Experience
Minimum of 3 years’ practice experience, with at least 1 – 2 years in criminal law. Minimum of 1-2 years of supervisory of experience.


Required Skills
Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills. Be self-driven, highly energetic and innovative. The ability to work collaboratively with staff, interns and volunteers. Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and produce quality results. Superior interpersonal skills; comfortable working with a diverse population. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally. Exemplary organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervise attorneys and other employees as assigned.




Required Hours
Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, 40 hours per week.
NOTE: Non-traditional hours – occasional weekends and evenings – are required.


Physical Requirements
Communicate clearly. Understand the speech of another person. Must be able to handle high levels of mental stress. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type, handle, or feel and reach. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.


Travel Requirements
Travel to the Richard J. Daley Center, the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse and the Suburban Municipal District Courthouses is required. Travel to external Workforce Development and Anti-Violence Organizations throughout the Chicagoland is also required
Working Conditions
CGLA has implemented a telecommuter and flexible work policy that allows employees to perform work remotely at the employee’s home or at an approved offsite location. Employees must have adequate internet access to work from home. If working in the office, you must be able to work in an open office setting with moderate noise levels and follow all COVID-19 safety protocols. Employee must have reliable internet access to work remotely. The candidate selected for this position will be required to work 2-3 days onsite per week. The physical office is closed every Friday and employees work remotely from home.


Benefits
We offer a generous benefits plan that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health insurance, Vision Service Plan – Vision insurance, Principal Dental insurance and 100% employer paid life insurance, (EAP) Employee Assistance Program, Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, Pet insurance, Pre Tax Programs for parking, local transit for Ventra and Metra and UberPool, and Vanguard 403(b) retirement account. Additionally, CGLA offers generous Paid Time-off, Floating Holidays and 14 paid holidays per year. During the summer months we celebrate Summer Fridays by closing the office early.



Note: Please mention how you heard about the job announcement in your cover letter.


(If selected for an in-person interview, a mock training presentation will be requested)

NO PHONE CALLS OR RECRUITING FIRMS PLEASE!


CGLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that is representative of our diverse community. Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education should apply.Our hiring managers begin reviewing applications after the Job Posting End Date (see below) and will begin contacting applicants soon after that date. Thank you for your patience as we give each application the time and attention that it deserves.
Job
Title: Senior
Attorney II

Department: Legal

Hiring
Range: $104,056.48 - $127,902.78

Posted Internally and Externally

Job Posting End Date: November 06, 2022

Purpose of the position:
This position provides executive level legal advice, consultation, and research to the County serving as a subject matter expert in a variety of legal areas that typically pertain to municipal government.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience:
Juris Doctor Degree, and Seven (7) years of experience in the practice of law, including work for local government; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Additional Training and Experience: None

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:
North Carolina State Bar License; Valid NC Driver's License

Essential Functions of the position:
Provide County officials and departments with legal counsel to include research of issues presented and provision of legal opinions through oral and written response.Evaluate complex legal issues; advise appropriate County personnel on recommended or required course of action; issue legal opinions on behalf of the County; assist County staff and departments with legal inquiries or problems.Defend administration actions against the County by preparation of written County response. Draft and interpret complex legal documents including opinions, briefs, contracts, reports, correspondence, and other legal and non-legal documents. Conduct a review of County policies and ordinances considered for adoption or amendment to determine whether they are consistent with applicable law, identify and address legal risks, and improve legal defensibility. Assist with County risk management activities.Attend meetings of boards, commissions or other committees to give legal advice.Interpret County ordinances for implementation by Senior Staff, assist with enforcement of County ordinances.Supervises and participates in litigation matters brought against the County or filed on behalf of the County.Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of NC General Statutes, federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures regarding county government.Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, judicial procedure, and rules of evidence.Knowledge of County organization, departments and functions.Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the field of governmental law.Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.Skills in statutory interpretation and legal research analyses and writing.Ability to analyze legal aspects of governmental problems and to provide sound advice and assistance as needed.Ability to research and analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments.Ability to present facts, law, and arguments clearly, logically, and persuasively.Ability to draft ordinances, regulations, policies, rules, opinions and orders.Ability to analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting the County.Ability to direct and evaluate the work assigned personnel.Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions, and to use legal source material in technical research.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.

JOB TITLE: Senior Attorney

CLASSIFICATION: Professional 6

SALARY: $119,000 - 126,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Conservation Law

LOCATION: Washington, DC

REPORTS TO: VP, Conservation Law

NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 1

LAST REVISED: December 2021

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Attorney engages in legal advocacy and develops and litigates cases under federal environmental and natural resources law to advance Defenders' conservation policies to protect biological diversity. As an experienced litigator and senior member of the legal team, the Senior Attorney supervises staff attorneys, legal fellows, and law clerks and advises Defenders staff on legal questions and legislative matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

+ Develop innovative litigation strategies and litigate cases to protect imperiled wildlife and habitats brought under the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, National Forest Management Act, Administrative Procedure Act, Freedom of Information Act, and other relevant federal and state wildlife, public lands, and natural resource statutes.

+ Work across disciplines using law, science, policy, and communications to engage in legal advocacy, including drafting comment letters and speaking at public hearings.

+ Advise Defenders staff on legal questions and legislative matters.

+ Supervise and mentor staff attorneys, legal fellows, and law clerks in Defenders' Conservation Law department.

+ Work across departments within Defenders to generate written products to advance Defenders' conservation work, such as comment letters, blog posts, op-eds, and presentations.

+ Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: JD required; appropriate state bar license(s) required

Experience: 10 years of relevant experience; 5 years supervisory experience

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders requires employees who engage in in-person work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice may request an exemption from this vaccination policy. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws. It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions. Please be advised this position is non union-eligible .