Employment Opportunities
Equip for Equality is a great place to work! We are a private, nonprofit civil rights organization for people with disabilities. We have multiple offices in Illinois with our main one in Chicago. Benefits for full-time employees include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) retirement plan with match.
We have employment opportunities right now
STAFF ATTORNEY
EQUIP FOR EQUALITY, CIVIL RIGHTS TEAM
Equip for Equality’s Civil Rights Team is hiring an experienced attorney to work in the community integration self-determination practice group. The work in this practice group involves advocacy and litigation promoting community integration to support individuals to live in the most integrated community setting; protecting the right to be free from abuse and neglect; advancing individuals’ legal rights in institutions and community settings; and promoting self-determination and personal decision-making in the context of guardianship and other forms of substituted decision-making.
For 40 years, Equip for Equality has been advancing the human and civil rights of people with disabilities across Illinois. Among our many accomplishments, Equip for Equality has made Chicago public transportation more accessible, helped tens of thousands of people with disabilities move from institutions into the community, increased inclusive education and educational outcomes for students with disabilities, and enhanced safety and quality of care in a variety of settings. We have offices throughout Illinois.
Equip for Equality has three teams: the Civil Rights Team, the Special Education Clinic, and the Independent Monitoring Unit. 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.
Job Summary:
- Managing a significant workload with a wide range of responsibilities, primarily client interviews; legal advice and informal advocacy; and formal investigations and negotiations. Litigation in administrative tribunals and courts is possible.
- Working in a timely and efficient manner to develop effective strategies on disability rights issues within our priorities and provide meaningful client legal services.
- Engaging regularly with people with disabilities to provide person-centered advocacy rooted in the lived experiences of the clients we serve.
- Occasional travel as needed throughout Illinois.
- This position reports to a Supervising Attorney on the Civil Rights Team.
- Work Setting – Remote/Hybrid
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 two years of legal practice.
- Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and disability rights.
- Strong written and oral communication and organizational skills, including for effective advocacy, collaborative work, litigation, and strategic planning.
- Creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving approaches.
- Ability to work collaboratively on a team as well as to self-direct.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience working with people with disabilities.
- Fluency in Spanish
- Understanding of Medicaid Home and Community Based Waivers and guardianship laws.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range – $67,164 – $85,390 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.
The position will remain open until it is filled.
Applications will not be considered without a resume and cover letter.
More about our hiring process
Equip for Equality is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Learn more about our hiring practices below.
Background checks
Because Equip for Equality is a community-serving organization and safety is of the utmost importance, Equip for Equality requires a background check for employees and others who volunteer or perform services for us depending on the role. The background check is run for employees once a conditional offer of employment has been extended. Background checks are conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, EFE’s policy, and paid for by EFE. A disclosed record may not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment.
Reasonable accommodations
Equip for Equality is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application process, please contact LaJune Davis-Wiley at lajune@equipforequality.org or 1-312-895-7333 and let her know the nature of your request and your contact information. Disability related information that is disclosed via the application process will be kept confidential.
Equal opportunity employer
We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. View the Department of Labor’s “EEO is The Law” poster for more information about how employers must comply with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws.
Volunteer opportunities
Did you know you can volunteer or have an unpaid internship with EFE? Students and professionals can volunteer by providing general office help or through internships with our technology department, human resources and other areas of our state-wide non-profit organization. For information about our volunteer and unpaid internship opportunities for non-attorneys, please contact LaJune Davis-Wiley (see contact information below).
Have questions about a job or volunteer position?
Contact LaJune Davis-Wiley at: