Supervising Staff Attorney

The Illinois Prison Project (IPP) is a young nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections. We focus on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction including mass commutation campaigns, sentence restructuring, public education, and advocacy.

IPP is hiring a Supervising Staff Attorney, who will represent people incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) in commutation, medical release, and other post-conviction matters, supervise junior attorneys, and supervise pro bono partners. IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required.

Responsibilities include:

Supervise lawyers, law clerks, and pro bono attorneys and their caseloads on commutation petitions, medical release, administrative advocacy requests, and other release mechanisms.
Provide direct representation as required, including writing commutation petitions, administrative advocacy requests, representing clients at public commutation or parole hearings, and others as needed.
Develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations and firms.
Recruit, train, and support pro-bono attorneys.
Assist with data collection and recording, keeping accurate and thorough client records.
Other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate degree and 7+ years practicing criminal defense, civil, or similar field of law.
2+ years of experience directly supervising attorneys or other legal staff.
Be comfortable creating and maintaining relationships with advocates, allies, legislators, legislative staff, and agency staff.
Commitment to criminal legal reform in Illinois and social, economic, and racial justice.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficiency using Google suite; prior experience with case management software a plus.
Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research and writing skills.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from community members and the general public.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as required.
Ability to commute to IPP’s office in Chicago and travel throughout the state for prison visits, parole board hearings, and other events.

Location: IPP maintains a hybrid work environment, including working remotely and out of IPP’s office at 53 West Jackson Blvd in Chicago, Illinois. Consistent with IPP’s hiring practices, this position can be remote but hiring preference is given to local candidates or candidates who plan to relocate locally. Certain tasks or events, however, may require that the Supervising Staff Attorney be physically present in Chicago.

Reports To: Legal Director

Compensation: This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $80,000 and benefits that include generous vacation leave, health, dental, vision, long-term disability, life, and 401K.

Illinois Prison Project is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Illinois Prison Project believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as an organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

How to Apply:

Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three references to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Supervising Staff Attorney” in the subject line.
Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.