Description
ATTORNEY – PROGRAM COUNSEL
Midwest Voting Rights Program
Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Program Counsel in our Midwest Voting Rights Program at a critical moment for American democracy. This role will be based in Chicago, Illinois. This is an opportunity to lead high-impact litigation and policy advocacy defending and protecting voting rights in Illinois and the Midwest—work that will shape the legal landscape for years to come.
About the Role
The Program Counsel position is an exciting opportunity for an experienced attorney who can bring vision, talent, and enthusiasm to the role at a time when protection and advancement of civil rights is needed more than ever. The Program Counsel will report to the Illinois-based Senior Counsel of the Midwest Voting Rights Program.
Working in collaboration with the Senior Counsel and other team members of the Midwest Voting Rights Program, you will help shape strategy and build on our track record of impact—including successful resolution of Illinois's flawed automatic voter registration implementation, federal court challenges to Indiana's restrictive voting laws, expansion of access to voting for incarcerated individuals, and leadership of legislative efforts to expand voting rights in Illinois.
Candidates should have a commitment to community lawyering and be able to share examples of relationship building and collaboration with community-based partners. The attorney must demonstrate a passion for racial equity and community empowerment and possess the skills needed to be a successful advocate.
The attorney will be expected to work as needed with colleagues to advance our work in other core practice areas, including fair housing, equitable community development, education equity, and economic justice.
Duties Include:
Strategic Litigation
Assist with impact litigation challenging systemic barriers to voting and representation in Illinois and Indiana
Research and develop legal theories for challenges to discriminatory laws, policies, and procedures
Support pro bono relationships with major law firms serving as co-counsel—leveraging a network of 600+ volunteer attorneys to take on cases a small team otherwise couldn't
Collaborate with colleagues to identify intersections and develop integrated advocacy approaches that advance racial equity and economic opportunity for the clients and communities we serve
Policy Advocacy
Draft and analyze legislation
Partner with colleagues, community organizations and coalitions on legislative, policy, and administrative advocacy
Produce publications, know-your-rights materials, fact sheets, and policy briefs
Conduct presentations to stakeholders including legislators, advocates, and media
Community Engagement & Election Protection
Cultivate and maintain partnerships with organizations and coalitions from communities impacted by systemic racism
Provide brief advice and legal opinions to community partners in Illinois and Indiana
Plan and participate in community education and outreach in support of advocacy goals
Assist with Election Protection initiatives including volunteer attorney recruitment, training, and deployment, as well as advocacy to election authorities
Assist with jail voting initiatives and partnerships with incarcerated and returning community members
About You
Qualifications
Must be available to be in the Chicago office once a week and available for in-person work in Chicago and surrounding areas
J.D. and admission to the Illinois Bar (or admission in another state with requirement to obtain Illinois licensure within one year)
Preferred 5+ years of combined experience in civil rights litigation, policy advocacy, and/or experience advancing voting rights
Litigation experience, preferably including federal court practice
Experience working with community organizations and coalitions
Deep commitment to racial justice and community-driven advocacy
Experience supervising fellows, program staff, or summer interns
Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
High degree of flexibility, ability to multi-task, and significant initiative
Strong analytical skills, including attention to details and accuracy
Excellent people skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively with a diversity of groups and individuals
Cross-cultural competencies and self-awareness around issues of power, privilege, and difference
Don't meet every single requirement? At Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in this description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Why Work with Us?
Work with lawyers who are determined, focused, and compassionate
Lead high-stakes litigation defending voting rights at a critical moment for democracy
Shape policy that will protect voters for years to come
Salary and Benefits
Salary range is $70,000 – $89,500 per year depending on experience.
Benefits include:
15 vacation days per year for years 1-2, increasing to 20 vacation days after two years of continuous service, plus 2 personal days
10 sick days per year
Health, dental, basic life, short-term disability, long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary vision, life, critical illness, and accident insurance
403(b) retirement plan
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
We offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement, with one day per week in the office on a designated anchor day and the option to work up to 4 days remotely.
About Us
Founded in 1969 as part of the Kennedy-era Lawyers' Committee movement, the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights is Chicago's preeminent nonprofit civil rights legal organization. Our mission and strategic direction explicitly focus on racial equity, and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights.
We provide legal representation through in-house staff and long-standing partnerships with over 30 member law firms. We mobilize 600+ volunteer attorneys, generating millions of dollars in donated legal services annually.
Our integrated legal team works across four core practice areas: Voting Rights, Equitable Community Development & Housing, Education Equity, and Economic Justice.
To Apply
Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and 3 references to: Elesha Jackson, Director of Administration, [email protected], with subject line specifying "Application for Program Counsel Position (Voting Rights)." Please, no telephone inquiries. The priority deadline for applying is August 14, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prioritize equity and inclusion in our organizational culture and hiring, and we value candidates with lived experience in the communities we serve. We welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, service in the military, or other identity factors.
Requirements
Qualifications
Must be available to be in the Chicago office once a week and available for in-person work in Chicago and surrounding areas
J.D. and admission to the Illinois Bar (or admission in another state with requirement to obtain Illinois licensure within one year)
Preferred 5+ years of combined experience in civil rights litigation, policy advocacy, and/or experience advancing voting rights
Litigation experience, preferably including federal court practice
Experience working with community organizations and coalitions
Deep commitment to racial justice and community-driven advocacy
Experience supervising fellows, program staff, or summer interns
Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
High degree of flexibility, ability to multi-task, and significant initiative
Strong analytical skills, including attention to details and accuracy
Excellent people skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively with a diversity of groups and individuals
Cross-cultural competencies and self-awareness around issues of power, privilege, and difference
