Staff Attorney Order of Protection Program

About the role

This position requires at least 60% of work to be done on-site, subject to change.

Essential Responsibilities

• With supervisor and colleagues, share management of the Order of Protection clinic and remote hotline, including meeting personal and team goals.
• Provide successful same-day legal assistance for survivors of domestic violence obtaining Emergency Protective Orders.
• Successfully manage 3-5 brief services cases per day when serving as Clinic Manager.
• Supervise volunteers, including attorneys and student interns, as they provide brief legal services in fast-paced, walk-in legal clinic.
• Provide knowledgeable and skilled legal representation in Order of Protection matters.
• Perform intake functions, interviewing potential clients and gathering information to evaluate cases for representation.
• Represent clients in Emergency Order of Protection hearings.
• Manage a case load of ongoing Order of Protection cases, including effective representation of clients in negotiations, contested hearings, and motion practice.
• Maintain client files, noting all deadlines, communications and other relevant information.
• Cook with team’s Client Support Coordinator and other colleagues to ensure that client receives seamless, holistic services.

Other Responsibilities

• Actively participate in required staff meetings and trainings.
• Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks and participating in professional organizations.
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Illinois
• Litigation and family law experience preferred
• Spanish language proficiency, including the ability to interview and represent clients with limited or no-English speaking abilities, is preferred
• Ability to develop and implement short and long-term litigation strategies
• Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
• Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training
• Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based or intimate partner violence
• Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with people in crisis
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication and time management skills
• Sense of humor

About Us

Mission: Empower individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system to achieve safety and stability through holistic legal advocacy and system reform.

Legal Advocacy: We currently provide the following types of legal assistance to individuals and families:

• Economic legal services for survivors of gender-based violence such as help with finances and housing
• Family defense legal services for families who have DCFS investigations or appeals
• Family law services for survivors of gender-based violence such as help with divorces, custody arrangements, visitation, and child support
• Orders of protection services for survivors of gender-based violence
• Immigration services for survivors of gender-based violence

Our History: Founded in 1982 and incorporated in 1989 as Pro Bono Advocates, Ascend Justice has four decades of experience meeting the needs of survivors of domestic violence. From 2005 until 2019 we were known as the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic. In 2019 we merged with the Family Defense Center and rebranded as Ascend Justice. Throughout our history, we’ve worked to increase the safety and independence of survivors of domestic violence with skilled, compassionate legal representation.

Our Order of Protection Clinic and our domestic relations practices are our longest-standing client services. Our long-time location in the Cook County Circuit Court Domestic Violence Courthouse allows us to offer emergency legal services related to Orders of Protection and teams of volunteers work with staff attorneys to assist these clients with brief services, legal advice, and, in some cases, legal representation at the emergency stage of litigation.

Our second office on State Street, offers longer-term legal representation and assistance in the family law, immigration, economic justice, and family defense matters that are linked to the long-term safety of survivors and their children. In addition, Client Support Coordinators in both offices help with safety planning, emotional support, and connections to the resources necessary for safety and independence.

In March 2021, Ascend Justice launched an innovative new practice serving incarcerated survivors of domestic violence. Two attorneys collaborate with the Illinois Department of Corrections and Cook County Jail to provide civil legal services to survivors in women’s correctional facilities.

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Pay

$62,500.00 - $72,500.00 per year

Schedule

Full-time