Intern Legal Aid Society

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is the legal aid arm of Metropolitan Family Services.  Founded in 1886, it is the oldest provider of legal aid in Illinois and the second oldest in the nation.  The mission of LAS is to protect and strengthen families by providing equal access to justice for all by focusing on the most vulnerable communities, including those who are impoverished, the elderly, and victims of violence & crimes.  We are based in Chicago, Illinois, and serve low-income clients in Cook and DuPage Counties, and the Decatur area.

LAS has four practice groups: Safety & Family focuses on issues related to family law and orders of protection for survivors of domestic violence and on the prevention of abuse and financial exploitation of seniors; Health, Housing, & Economic Stability represents low-income tenants facing evictions, housing voucher terminations, and other housing issues; Individual Rights & Social Justice works with survivors of human trafficking and immigrant victims of crime to obtain immigration relief, and with individuals with certain employment law matters; Communities Partnering 4 Peace is a community lawyering project dedicated to removing barriers to housing, employment, and financial stability, among other issues, for members of the Chicago community who have been impacted by gun violence. 

An intern will have a wide range of litigation exposure, including client interviewing and counseling, negotiation, research, drafting pleadings, and court appearances (if 711-licensed).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide research case law and procedure for effective client representation.
• Assist in identifying and analyzing legal problems and solutions relevant to a practice group’s area of law;
• Support in participating with attorneys in client interviews and negotiations with adverse parties;
• Assist in preparing legal documents including motions, discovery materials, and pleadings in connection with court proceedings;
• Assist maintaining client files; and
• Work effectively with staff and a diverse client population.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:

• Currently enrolled in a JD program. 
• An interest in public interest law and direct services legal work;
• Strong research and writing skills;
• The ability to communicate effectively with attorneys, clients, and co-workers;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work effectively on individual assignments and as part of a team; and
• Patience and professionalism while working with diverse clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An Illinois 711 License or ability to obtain one early in the internship;
• Spanish language fluency.