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Disability Rights Attorney Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

... or disability with respect to hiring, promotion, firing, compensation, or other terms, conditions ... For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Attorney

Springfield, IL · On-site

$93 - $125/hr

... civil rights, commercial transactions, employment law, banking law, estate planning and ... Short- and Long-Term Disability * An employer match of employee deferral for the 401K plan

Explains and advises clients regarding their rights, and the investigative and judicial process ... age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.

Supervising Attorney - Joliet, IL Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to ... sex, disability, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age ...

Staff Attorney

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K/yr

Staff Attorney Location: George W. Dunn County Building 69 W. Washington Chicago, IL 60602 Grade ... with Disabilities Act, Titles I and II, FLSA, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act strongly ...

Showing results 41-60

Disability Rights Attorney information

What does a disability rights attorney do?

A Disability Rights Attorney is a legal professional who advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities. They work on cases involving discrimination, accessibility, education, employment, and public accommodations under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These attorneys may represent clients in court, negotiate settlements, and provide guidance on legal compliance. Their goal is to ensure that people with disabilities receive equal opportunities and are protected from unfair treatment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a disability rights attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Disability Rights Attorney, you need a law degree, active bar membership, and in-depth knowledge of disability law, such as the ADA and Section 504. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, and courtroom procedures is typically required. Exceptional advocacy, empathy, and strong written and verbal communication skills help build trust with clients and influence legal outcomes. These skills are vital to effectively represent individuals with disabilities, ensure compliance, and drive systemic change.

What are some common challenges disability rights attorneys face when advocating for clients?

Disability Rights Attorneys often encounter challenges related to complex and evolving regulations, balancing large caseloads, and navigating bureaucratic systems to secure accommodations and protections for clients. They may need to educate employers, schools, or public entities on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant laws. Additionally, building trust with clients—who may have experienced discrimination or systemic barriers—requires empathy, patience, and strong communication skills. Collaborating with social workers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups is also a key part of the role.

What is the difference between Disability Rights Attorney vs Disability Advocate?

AspectDisability Rights AttorneyDisability Advocate
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar LicenseNo formal legal credentials required, but often experienced in disability issues
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, legal clinicsNonprofits, community organizations, advocacy groups
Employer & IndustryLegal industry, government agencies
Primary FocusLegal representation, litigation, legal advicePolicy advocacy, awareness campaigns, support services

Disability Rights Attorneys focus on legal representation and litigation to protect clients' rights, while Disability Advocates work on policy change and raising awareness without necessarily providing legal services. Both roles are vital in advancing disability rights but differ in their methods and credentials.

What are popular job titles related to Disability Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois?

For Disability Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Disability Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Disability Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Disability Rights Attorney jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Disability Rights Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Disability Rights Attorney job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Supervising Attorney - Joliet, IL

Illinois State Bar Association

Joliet, IL • On-site

$83 - $106/hr

Other

Dental

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

JobOpportunityAnnouncement Supervising Attorney – Joliet, IL

Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply becausethey can’t afford a lawyer.It’s Prairie State Legal Services mission to change that.

PSLS is currently seeking a Supervising Attorney position in our Joliet office. The Supervising Attorney assists the Managing Attorney withsupervising andenabling thestaff atthe localoffices to provideexceptional legal services to clients. The Supervising Attorney is responsible for providing management, case support, and legal knowledge to a select group of staff attorneys while managing their own casework. The work of the Supervising Attorney allows the organizationtoachieveitsmissionofprovidingequalaccesstojusticeandlegalsupportto underservedcommunities on a local level.

Responsibilities
  • Providedaytodaysupervisionoflegalworkandprovideongoingfeedbackasnecessary
  • Reviewwrittenworkofcasehandlers
  • Ensurethatcasehandlersareengagingintimely,effective,andmeaningfulcaseplanning
  • Assistinleadingcaseassignmentmeetingsandmakingcaseacceptancedecisions
  • Conductformalcasereviewtoensureallcasesareprogressingappropriately
  • AssisttheManagingAttorneyinmonitoringstaffcaseloads
  • AssisttheManagingAttorneyinensuringLSCandothergrantcompliance
  • AssisttheManagingAttorneyinensuringcompliancewithPSLSpolicies
  • AssisttheManagingAttorneywithcompletingannualandongoingperformanceevaluation
  • Carryacaseloadofapproximately75%oftheapplicablerangebasedonexperienceidentifiedintheStaffAttorneyPerformanceStandards
SalaryandBenefits

The Staff Attorney position is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week. PSLS offers a salary that is competitive with similarorganizations.ThesalaryrangefortheStaffAttorneypositionis$82,500 -$106,344 annuallyandincreaseswith each year of relevant experience. PSLS is committed to providing an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to its full-time employees that includes:

  • Healthinsurance,includingtheopportunitytoqualifyforawellnesscredit
  • Dental Insurance
  • Visioninsurance
  • 403bRetirementPlanincludingemployercontributions
  • Extensivetrainingandeducationprogram
  • Flexschedulingandpartialremoteworkavailable
  • PTOthatstartsat3weeks/yearandincreaseswithadditionalyearsworkedatPSLS
  • Paidsickleave
  • 6weeksofpaidparentalleaveafteroneyearofemployment
  • 12Paidholidays
Qualifications
  • CurrentlyadmittedtothepracticeoflawintheStateofIllinois
  • Fiveyearsoftrialcourtexperience
  • Litigationexperiencepreferred
  • Amemberingoodstandingofanystatebarforatleasttwoyears
  • Stronginterpersonalskills
  • Excellentoral/writtencommunication,researchskills,andcomputercompetency
  • Organizationalandcasemanagementskills
  • Abilitytoworkeffectivelyasateammemberandleader
  • The ideal candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to serving disadvantaged populations, and we willgivepreference to candidates who haveknowledgeofpovertylawandexperienceprovidingservices to low-income individuals
ApplicationDetails

PSLS is an equal opportunity employer that strives to create a welcoming environment. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, religion,sex,disability,familialstatus,maritalstatus,sexualorientation,genderidentity,age,pregnancy,militarystatus or unfavorable discharge from military service, or other characteristics protected by law.

The Organization

PSLS is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization that has served northern and central Illinois for more than 45 years, maintains11officelocations,andhasastaffofover200,includingtrainingandlitigationstaffwithextensiveexperience. Our 36-county service area includes rural communities, suburban areas, and mid-size urban cities, which necessitatesthe development of diverse strategies, and we encourage our staff to cultivate and utilize creative approaches to reach and serve our client population. Employees of PSLS benefit from the expertise and community connectionsof their local officestaff,alongwith robust program-wideresources. Westrive to provide an arrayof services responsiveto the needs ofour clients. PSLS hasexcellent fiscal controls andupholds the highest ratingfrom Charity Navigator andGuidestar.For more information regarding PSLS services and operations, please visit our website at https://pslegal.org.

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