Mission
Our mission is to 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.
We are working toward strong communities where people have the power to navigate fair systems and overcome violence.
Learn more about us and our practice
in our general brochure.
Learn more about our advocacy work and priorities in our advocacy one-pager.
Learn more about volunteering with us
in our pro bono brochure.
Holistic Legal Services
- Family defense for people with DCFS cases
- Family law for survivors who need legal help with divorce & parenting issues
- Economic justice issues, like finances, employment & housing
- Immigration services for survivors of gender-based violence
- Legal services for incarcerated survivors
- Orders of Protection services from our clinic in the Domestic Violence Courthouse (555 W Harrison)
Our services are uniquely holistic because we understand that most people need more than just legal help to be able to leave abusive situations. So we believe in helping the whole person as best we can. While our teams handle our clients’ legal needs, our Client Support Coordinators help connect them to a range of services, material goods, safety planning, and other organizations that can help. We know that leaving is the most dangerous time for survivors, and we do our best to help ease the way.
Advocacy & System Reform
Our History
Founded in 1982 and incorporated in 1989 as Pro Bono Advocates, we have more than 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, and in 2019, we merged with the Family Defense Center to become Ascend Justice.
Throughout our history, no matter what we’ve been called, we have worked to increase the safety and independence of survivors of domestic violence with skilled, compassionate legal representation.
From our long-time clinic in the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse (555 W Harrison), we still offer emergency Orders of Protection, our longest-standing practice. And from our second office on State St., we have expanded over the years to include family law, immigration, economic justice, and family defense matters. We have also expanded our Client Support Coordinator positions so that both offices can offer holistic support to all of our clients, helping with safety planning, emotional support, and connections to the resources necessary for safety and independence.
In 2021, Ascend Justice launched an innovative new practice serving incarcerated survivors of gender-based violence. Attorneys collaborate with the Illinois Department of Corrections and Cook County Jail to provide civil legal services to survivors in women’s correctional facilities.
Our Strategic Plan, launched in January 2024, works as our guide for the coming years as we continue working towards our mission.
