Staff Attorney

Life Span empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence to demand safety as a human right through client-centered services and leads social change through accountability, community engagement, and systemic advocacy. Life Span is interviewing applicants to fill a staff attorney position in one of our Chicago based multi-disciplinary projects.

Life Span is a nationally known leader in the provision of services to victims of violence and their children. Our comprehensive services include criminal court advocacy representation in civil protective order cases, expert representation in family law cases, and counseling for survivors and their children. Our work encompasses such issues as police domestic violence, immigration, employment issues, sexual assault civil no contact orders, the effects of trauma on clients and their children, teen dating violence, human trafficking and the criminalization of survivors. Our agency has two sites, and services are available in nine languages including English, Spanish, Polish and Arabic. All services are free of charge. Our agency provides national leadership in policy work and systemic advocacy, and our staff has trained advocates, lawyers, judges, counselors and other professionals in Illinois and across the country on critical issues and innovative practices.

Life Span values diversity—in strengths, backgrounds and lived experiences. It is essential that our staff and leadership reflect the communities that we serve. We are committed to creating an anti- oppression framework and seek candidates who share this commitment.

Position Summary: The staff attorney will work on a multi-disciplinary team that targets high risk survivors of domestic violence. Team members include prosecutors, Life Span domestic violence advocates, investigators, victim witness assistants, probation officers and a Life Span staff attorney. The staff attorney will assist survivors with their domestic relations cases. The attorney will gain invaluable experience in negotiations, settlement conferences, litigation (including drafting, depositions, discovery, pretrial conferences, as well as contested hearings and trials). Responsibilities include civil representation in orders of protection, family law and civil no contact orders for clients with domestic violence and/or sexual assault issues. The attorney will work collaboratively with team members with an emphasis on achieving a unified strategy to increase victim safety. The attorney will also work with Life Span counseling and advocacy staff to provide a coordinated response to clients’ needs. The staff attorney will participate in systemic advocacy and policy reform.

• In-house and external trainings and CLE’s are encouraged at the start of employment and throughout tenure at Life Span.
• Mentorship and guidance are given to all staff attorneys, especially to entry-level attorneys.

Qualifications:

o Licensed to practice law in Illinois.

o One to three years of experience working with domestic violence survivors in family law cases.

o Public interest law experience including hearing or trial experience.

o Spanish or other language skill at the bilingual level is a plus for this position.

Location and Hours: The Staff Attorney position is a full-time, 40 hours per week position based in the Chicago office with a significant presence at the 555 W. Harrison domestic violence courthouse.

Hybrid Remote Position: This is a hybrid remote position after onboarding and completion of training. Remote work up to 16 hours per week at the discretion of Life Span. Internet access is required. Must be accessible and available during work hours by phone and email to perform essential functions of this position.

Compensation: Life Span values staff as our most important resource, we offer a competitive salary and generous benefits. Starting salary is $70,000 commensurate with experience. Bilingual staff may receive an additional $2,000 per year. Benefits include generous PTO and holidays, Summer Fridays, life/disability insurance; 403b plan, health, dental, vision insurance, pre-tax public transit, FSA and DCA benefit plans.

Loan Forgiveness Benefit: Life Span is a qualifying employer for the federal PSLF program.

To Apply: Tell us why you are interested in working as Staff Attorney at Life Span, relate your experience and skills to this position. Send resume and cover letter to the hiring manager via email to hiring@life-span.org.

No Telephone Calls Please.