Intern duties vary depending on the program but they generally include interviewing and communicating with clients; performing legal research on related issues; drafting pleadings, motions, subpoenas, and client communications; working directly with attorneys in preparing for contested hearings; and other duties as assigned.
Students licensed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 may act as counsel in court under the supervision of an attorney. Student interns must be responsible, detail-oriented, motivated individuals capable of working autonomously.
Order of Protection (OP) Division – Ascend Justice’s OP Division assists clients with obtaining civil orders of protection. OP interns must be available to work at least one and a half days (12 hours) per week during the semester.
Law students, graduate students, and undergraduate students may apply for this internship. Spanish language proficiency or 711-License eligibility are both helpful, but not required.
Family Law Division – Ascend Justice’s Family Law Division represents DV victims in divorce and parentage actions to help them achieve safety from abusive relationships. Family law interns must be available to work at least one full day or two half-days per week during the semester.
Family law interns must be law students. Spanish language proficiency or 711-License eligibility are helpful, but not required.
Immigration – Ascend Justice’s Independence Project helps undocumented survivors of domestic violence gain legal status by either applying for a U-Visa or self-petitioning under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Independence Project interns must be available to work at least one full day per week during the semester.
Law students and undergraduate students are welcome. Spanish language proficiency is highly preferred.
Economic Justice Project – Ascend Justice’s Economic Justice Project assists clients with employment law issues under the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA), housing law issues under the Illinois Safe Homes Act, Crime Victims Compensation, and consumer debt issues. Economic Justice Project interns must be available to work at least one full day or two half-days per week during the semester.
Spanish language proficiency is helpful, but not required. Economic Justice Project interns must be law students. 711 license is not required.
Family Defense – Ascend Justice’s Family Defense Project helps families and individuals affected by difficult life circumstances such as poverty and domestic violence and who are under investigation by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) or who are appealing DCFS indicated findings. Family Defense Project interns must be available to work 12 hours per week during the semester.
Family Defense Project interns must be law students. Spanish language proficiency or 711-License eligibility are helpful, but not required.
