Senior Attorney - Civil Rights

Disability Rights in Criminal Legal Systems Equip for Equality’s Civil Rights Team is hiring an experienced attorney to work on civil rights litigation and advocacy to address the disparate harm of criminal systems and incarceration to people with disabilities in Illinois. The work includes litigating individual and systemic civil rights cases; monitoring facilities; and investigating and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in jails, prisons, and other criminal systems. The senior attorney position uses a range of strategies in cases, including providing informal legal assistance and advice, negotiations, and litigation. For 40 years, Equip for Equality has been advancing the human and civil rights of people with disabilities across Illinois. As the Protection & Advocacy system for Illinois, Equip for Equality plays an important role in monitoring facility conditions to investigate and address abuse, neglect, and civil rights violations. Our dedicated staff of over 40 attorneys, social workers, and administrative staff work every day to advance our mission. As we work to improve society’s inclusion of individuals with disabilities, we also strive to be a welcoming workplace. Our Civil Rights Team handles a wide range of legal issues affecting people with disabilities, with practice areas that focus on community integration and self-determination; anti-discrimination work, such as in employment and public accommodations; and combating the harmful impact of criminalization on people with disabilities. For more information about Equip for Equality, our Civil Rights Team, and our monitoring and special education work, please visit our website, www.equipforequality.org. The Senior Attorney hired for this position will work in the criminal legal systems practice group, whose case docket includes a systemic class action on behalf of incarcerated individuals with mental illness and representing a coalition of affected community members in enforcing a police consent decree. Other litigation and advocacy work includes addressing problems with forensic legal proceedings and institutionalization; access to programs, services and activities for incarcerated individuals with disabilities; and issues that lead to the over-incarceration of people with disabilities, including police misconduct and criminal court advocacy on disability needs. Job Summary Advance the rights of people with disabilities impacted by criminal systems through individual and systemic civil rights advocacy. Take a primary role in advancing our existing docket of system litigation matters, including litigation and consent decree enforcement. Advocate for incarcerated or institutionalized clients and develop litigation and other systemic strategies. Manage a significant workload with a wide range of responsibilities, including client interviews; legal advice and informal advocacy; formal investigations and negotiations; and litigation. Mentor staff attorneys, paralegals, and others, including providing attorney review of intake and self-assistance advocacy work. Conduct project management for a grant to provide legal services to communities impacted by incarceration. Work in a timely and efficient manner to develop effective strategies on disability rights issues within our priorities and provide meaningful client legal services. Travel as needed throughout Illinois, with a particular focus on the Southern and Central regions, to conduct jail and prison monitoring investigations and to engage with clients and other stakeholders. Engage regularly with people with disabilities to provide person-centered advocacy rooted in the lived experiences of the clients we serve. The position reports to a Managing Attorney on the Civil Rights Team. The candidate may be physically located in any part of Illinois, as the work will be primarily remote. The position requires in-person court appearances, including in federal court, and some travel. Required Experience A law degree from an accredited law school A license to practice law in Illinois, or admission to the Illinois State Bar within one year of employment A minimum of seven years of civil legal practice Experience working with marginalized and criminalized populations, with an emphasis on ability to work inside facilities and with clients experiencing current crisis Strong communication and organizational skills, including for collaborative work, litigation, strategic planning and effective advocacy Creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving approaches Ability to work collaboratively on a team as well as to self-direct Preferred Experience Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and understanding of criminal legal systems Experience working with people with disabilities, including mental illness, and those impacted by criminal legal systems Fluency in Spanish Experience with complex negotiations and federal court litigation, including systemic and class litigation Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $86,194-$128,472 (commensurate with experience). Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, retirement plan, and generous paid leave. Application Deadline, How to Apply Equip for Equality encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply for this position. Senior Attorney Applicants should apply by the close of business on February 20, 2026 . Applications will not be considered without a resume and cover letter. Background Checks Due to EFE’s role as the P&A and related work inside facilities, all conditional offers are subject to a background check, conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and paid for by EFE. A disclosed record will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, some facilities conduct background checks before monitoring visits are conducted. Equip for Equality is an Equal Opportunity Employer #J-18808-Ljbffr