Attorney (Estate Planning)

The Westside Justice Center is growing and adding new roles to our team!

Unleash your legal expertise and make a meaningful impact by joining our dedicated team as an Attorney and play a pivotal role in our mission to eradicate barriers to justice and empower communities.

Founded in 2015, the Westside Justice Center (WJC) is not just a workplace—it’s a community-driven Legal Aid clinic committed to empowering individuals and fostering authentic community leadership.

As an Attorney, you will serve as a key member of the Legal Services Team, focusing primarily on estate planning, probate, and asset protection, while also providing support across WJC’s broader practice areas—including housing, family law, and immigration—as client needs and organizational priorities arise.

You will help individuals and families plan for the future, protect their property, and preserve intergenerational wealth, while contributing to WJC’s larger mission of advancing justice, equity, and access for underserved communities.

If you’re passionate about community-centered legal work and advancing equitable wealth transfer through holistic advocacy, we invite you to join us.

Responsibilities:

Primary Practice Area: Estate Planning and Asset Preservation

Provide direct legal representation, advice, and referrals in matters related to estate planning.

Draft, review, and execute estate planning documents including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, transfer-on-death instruments, and petitions.

Represent clients in court proceedings.

Counsel clients on succession planning, charitable giving, and intergenerational wealth protection.

Address title and deed issues impacting estate transfers, including clearing title for heirs’ property and resolving ownership disputes.

Ensure all estate planning services are culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Illinois probate law, estate tax implications, and property transfer procedures.

Cross-Practice Collaboration

Collaborate with other WJC attorneys and paralegals to assist clients with intersecting legal needs, such as:

Housing: resolving title, foreclosure prevention, or landlord-tenant matters related to inherited property.

Family Law: coordinating estate planning in cases involving guardianship, custody, or family transitions.

Immigration: supporting mixed-status families in property and inheritance matters.

Provide backup legal support to other practice areas as needed to ensure continuity of client services.

Community Education and Outreach

Develop and facilitate community legal workshops and clinics focused on estate planning, probate navigation, and wealth equity.

Partner with faith-based institutions, senior centers, and community organizations to expand public understanding of estate planning rights and resources.

Prepare and present educational materials and resources that empower residents to safeguard their assets and plan for the future.

Participate in WJC’s public education initiatives, outreach events, and access-to-justice campaigns.

Program and Organizational Support

Supervise, train, and mentor volunteer attorneys, law students, and paralegals engaged in estate planning and related cases.

Maintain accurate case files and documentation consistent with WJC and grant reporting standards.

Participate in data collection, reporting, and evaluation of legal outcomes for funders and partners.

Contribute to grant proposals and program development aimed at expanding access to estate planning and legal services.

Engage in ongoing continuing legal education (CLE) and community partnerships to remain current in estate, probate, and other practice areas.

Successful Candidates Will Possess:

Active license to practice law in Illinois (required).

5 or more years of experience in estate planning, probate, elder law, or related legal practice areas.

Strong drafting and analytical skills with proven ability to manage detailed legal documentation.

Excellent communication and client counseling skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly and compassionately.

Commitment to racial equity, community empowerment, and holistic legal services.

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary legal team.

Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to balance multiple cases and deadlines.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with case management systems.

NOTE: A copy of your official transcripts, professional license, or training certificates will be required at the time of interview, if applicable.

Benefits:

Community Impact

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) Retirement Plan

Work Environment:

The work environment described here is representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This job operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Ability to communicate verbally

Ability to spend extended time working on a computer

Occasional need for local travel

Compensation Disclosure:

Actual compensation is determined based on a wide array of relevant factors including market considerations, business needs, and an individual's skills, experience, and qualifications. Target salary hiring range: $65,000–$75,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Westside Justice Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.

We prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with our mission to advance justice and equity, people of color, women, LGBTQI-GNC individuals, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated people are strongly encouraged to apply.