Staff Attorney

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-incomeolder adultsand personswith disabilities. CDELs clients, individuals often marginalized by age,disabilityandincome, may have difficulty accessing the legal system. CDEL strives to provide access to the legal system toassistour clients in asserting their legal rights andlivebetter lives.

CDEL seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to support various program areas.This role will assist in managingvolunteersincluding interns andprovide direct legal representation for clients on a variety of legal matters in CDELs practice areas.Successful candidates must be able to travel toworkshopand cliniclocationslocatedthroughout Cook County.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct legal services to clients in the areas of housing,adult guardianship,consumer law, estateplanningand public benefits
  
• Conduct educational outreach presentations
• Provide training and supervision to pro bono volunteers
• Assistwith interviewing, hiring and supervision of interns
  
• Assistwith organization workshops
• Manage a time-sensitive caseload along with other assigned work
• Ensure grant reporting compliance
• Supervise volunteers and interns working on clinic matters
• Monitor and interpret laws, rules and, ordinances
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinoisor able to become licensedin Illinois
• Two years of experience as a practicing attorney preferred- candidates withdemonstratedexperience who do not meet this qualificationmaybe considered
• Demonstrated commitment to CDELs client base, including working with older adults and personswith disabilities
• Strong ability to communicate with multiple clients and stakeholders
• Experience withhousing,adult guardianship,estate planning, and consumer law preferred
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines
• Detail-oriented
• Creative and innovative approach to solving problems
• Enthusiastic about providing legal services throughout communities in and around Chicago
• Enjoys engaging with clients and other staff
• Desire to work with and mentor interns and pro bono volunteers
• Works collaboratively and communicates transparently with other staff members
• Spanish speaking and writing skills a plus

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $64,000-$76,000, depending on experience.Full-time position.

CDEL offers a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision insurance, a 401(k) planwith matching, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance.CDEL also has a generous personal time off policy.

About the Organization

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) is a dynamic 501(c)(3) legal aid organization dedicated to empowering low-income older adults and persons with disabilities in Chicago and Cook County through pro bono legalassistance. Founded by the Chicago Bar Association in 1982, CDEL servesapproximately3,000 clients annually, delivering access to justice and improving lives.

With a talented in-house team and a network of hundreds of volunteer attorneys, students, and paralegals, CDEL focuses on resolving legal challenges in four key practice areas: end-of-life planning, adult guardianship, housing, and consumer issues. Through innovative programs and passionate advocacy, CDEL ensures that legal solutions are within reachforthousands of individuals every year, enabling them to lead their lives with dignity and security.

CDEL is an equal opportunity employer. We are a welcoming community that engages, encourages, and empowers those who are members of underrepresented communities. We are a dedicated advocate for our clients who hold many diverse identities and experiences, across race, color, sex, age, religion, class, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge, source of income, housing status, and gender identity. We believe that these communities must be centeredinthe work we do. Hence, we encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized and underrepresented communities to apply for this position. We also encourage you to read our Diversity,Equityand Inclusion Statement available on our website.

Position is openimmediatelyand will be closed when filled. Applications received byFebruary 2,2026will be given preference.