Housing Attorney

Law Center for Better Housing brings diverse voices and perspectives to the provision of free legal and supportive services to improve housing stability for lower income renters, while advocating for the rights of all renters until everyone in Chicago has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. For over 40 years LCBH has served Chicago renters living in private rental housing who are facing unjust evictions or living in substandard housing. Through its analysis of eviction data, LCBH recognizes that eviction is a matter of fair housing and works to bring racial justice to eviction court.

LCBH is currently hiring attorneys to work with the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Early Resolution Program (ERP) and City of Chicago Right to Counsel (RTC) Pilot Project. The ERP provides free legal advice and counseling to help tenants facing eviction to negotiate settlements and the RTC will provide extended representation in those cases where negotiation does not result in a settlement. These are full-time, exempt positions.

Qualifications include
·       Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and affinity for legal aid work.

·       Ideal candidate will have participated in a law school clinic or internships with legal aid organizations or will have engaged in other work that builds judgment in working with individuals in crisis.

·       We will give a preference to candidates bilingual in Spanish, Polish, Korean, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, or ASL.

Compensation and Benefits
LCBH staff are represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (UAW-Local 2320). Compensation and benefits are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Starting salary for 2024 graduates is set at $59,000 and will increase by 8% on January 1, 2025. Bilingual attorneys are eligible for additional salary. LCBH offers a benefits package that includes medical, dental/vision, 401k retirement plan, and approximately 19 paid holidays.

LCBH will consider both attorneys who are currently available and students/clerks/fellows who will be available in September 2024. To apply please send your resume, writing sample, and a thoughtful cover letter to jobs@lcbh.org. Please include “Staff Attorney — available immediately” or Staff Attorney — available September 2024″ in the subject line.

Affirmatively Furthering Equal Employment
LCBH strongly encourages applications from people of color, immigrants, women, older people, persons living with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, people with lived experience of poverty or racism, and people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.