Careers at Access Living
Position: Senior Attorney – Fair Housing and Disability Rights
Basic Function:
Access Living seeks a senior attorney to join our Civil Rights Team in enforcing federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities. The new attorney will focus on fair housing enforcement and fair housing policy matters.
The Senior Attorney will: (a) work on systemic and individual fair housing cases; (b) collaborate with Access Living staff, fair housing advocates, and community partners on policy initiatives to increase affordable and accessible housing opportunities for people with disabilities; and (c) present trainings to various audiences regarding the fair housing rights of people with disabilities.
The position supports Access Living’s mission to be a change agent committed to igniting disability power and pride, and breaking down systemic barriers. The candidate will collaborate with other staff to advance this mission.
Experience
Candidates must have the ability to collaborate with diverse partners, including disability advocates, Access Living consumers (clients), public interest/legal services partners, and pro bono attorneys. Candidates must also have a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and disability rights, exceptional communication skills, superb writing and research ability, at least seven years of litigation experience, and strong people skills.
Travel:
Occasional travel within the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Potential for occasional travel outside of Chicago/Illinois for conferences.
Professional Affiliations
Admission to the Illinois bar is preferred, but we will consider candidates who are licensed in another jurisdiction but willing to seek admission to the Illinois bar.
Working Environment
This position will work in a hybrid capacity with a high level of flexibility to adjust in-office and remote workdays on a weekly basis under the organization’s hybrid work model. Staff members are required to come into the office two days out of every week and may work remotely the other three if they so choose. Access Living’s office environment is one of shared work space with individual cubicles.
Access Living requires all staff members to be fully vaccinated (as defined by the CDC) against COVID-19. Disability and/or religious vaccine exemptions are considered on a case by case basis.
Supervised By:
Managing Attorney
Number of Employees Directly Supervised:
None
Salary/Benefits
The salary range for this position is $97,000 – $107,000. Access Living offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes an excellent health plan and a generous vacation policy (offices are closed between Christmas and the New Year, in addition to paid time off). Access Living also offers a very competitive 403(b) retirement plan with matching contributions, as well as company paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and basic life insurance.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Ken Walden, Managing Attorney, at kwalden@accessliving.org.
Access Living is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including people with disabilities, people who have personal experience with disability, and people of color.