THE ORGANIZATIONAscend Justice is a mission-driven nonprofit legal aid organization. Our mission is to empower individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system—we strive to help people achieve safety and stability through holistic legal advocacy and system reform. We provide free legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and stalking, as well as people facing child welfare investigations, in the following areas:Economic JusticeWe help clients with employment law under VESSA, housing law under the Safe Homes Act, consumer debt brief services, and Crime Victims Compensation.Family Defense
We help parents and caregivers with ongoing DCFS investigations of child abuse or neglect, as well as expungement appeals and civil rights cases.Family LawWe provide divorce services and handle parental responsibility and other child-related matters for both married and unmarried parents. Family law attorneys also assist our immigration clients with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases.Incarcerated SurvivorsWe provide services across all our practice areas to survivors who are or have been incarcerated in Illinois.ImmigrationWe provide services that help immigrants who have been victims of crime and/or abuse stay in the US legally (U visas, T visas, VAWA Self-Petitions, Battered Spouse Waivers, SIJS cases, asylum, and non-detained removal)Protective OrdersAt the Domestic Violence Courthouse, we help people get court orders mandating that an abuser stop the abuse, leave a home, or stay away from children.JOB DESCRIPTION AND INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
Interns choose one of the above practice areas for their internship.Specific duties vary by program, however general intern duties 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.Internships run for an entire academic term. Intern can also elect to work for the entire school year. Internship may be fully remote or partially in person depending on current conditions, state and local regulations, and individual preference.Economic Justice/Family Defense/Family Law/Incarcerated Survivors InternsInterns must be law students. Spanish language proficiency and 711-License eligibility may be helpful, but not required.Immigration InternsLaw students, graduate students, and undergraduate students are welcome. Spanish language proficiency is highly preferred.Protective Orders InternsLaw students, graduate students, and undergraduate students are welcome. Spanish language proficiency and 711-License eligibility may be helpful, but not required.Protective Orders interns MUST be able to work from 9-4 at least one day a week. Interns in all other divisions must commit to a minimum of 12 hours per week during the school year. Ascend Justice offices are only open Monday-Friday. There are no evening or weekend opportunities.APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONSVisit our website at https://www.ascendjustice.org/join-our-team/ and submit with a cover letter indicating your program area of interest and resume. Please address your cover letter to Kimberly Washington, Director of Pro Bono Services. If you have any questions, you can email volunteerservices@ascendjustice.org.Ascend Justice is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. Ascend Justice does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Ascend Justice is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.

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THE ORGANIZATION
Ascend Justice is a mission-driven nonprofit legal aid organization. Our mission is to empower individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system—we strive to help people achieve safety and stability through holistic legal advocacy and system reform. We provide free legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and stalking, as well as people facing child welfare investigations, in the following areas:

Economic Justice
We help clients with employment law under VESSA, housing law under the Safe Homes Act, consumer debt brief services, and Crime Victims Compensation.

Family Defense
We help parents and caregivers with ongoing DCFS investigations of child abuse or neglect, as well as expungement appeals and civil rights cases.

Family Law
We provide divorce services and handle parental responsibility and other child-related matters for both married and unmarried parents. Family law attorneys also assist our immigration clients with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases.

Incarcerated Survivors
We provide services across all our practice areas to survivors who are or have been incarcerated in Illinois.

Immigration
We provide services that help immigrants who have been victims of crime and/or abuse stay in the US legally (U visas, T visas, VAWA Self-Petitions, Battered Spouse Waivers, SIJS cases, asylum, and non-detained removal)

Protective Orders
At the Domestic Violence Courthouse, we help people get court orders mandating that an abuser stop the abuse, leave a home, or stay away from children.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND INTERN QUALIFICATIONS

Interns choose one of the above practice areas for their internship.
Specific duties vary by program, however general intern duties 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.Internships run for an entire academic term. Intern can also elect to work for the entire school year. Internship may be fully remote or partially in person depending on current conditions, state and local regulations, and individual preference.

Economic Justice/Family Defense/Family Law/Incarcerated Survivors Interns
Interns must be law students. Spanish language proficiency and 711-License eligibility may be helpful, but not required.

Immigration Interns
Law students, graduate students, and undergraduate students are welcome. Spanish language proficiency is highly preferred.

Protective Orders Interns
Law students, graduate students, and undergraduate students are welcome. Spanish language proficiency and 711-License eligibility may be helpful, but not required.

Protective Orders interns MUST be able to work from 9-4 at least one day a week. Interns in all other divisions must commit to a minimum of 12 hours per week during the school year. Ascend Justice offices are only open Monday-Friday. There are no evening or weekend opportunities.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Visit our website at https://www.ascendjustice.org/join-our-team/ and submit with a cover letter indicating your program area of interest and resume. Please address your cover letter to Kimberly Washington, Director of Pro Bono Services. If you have any questions, you can email volunteerservices@ascendjustice.org.

Ascend Justice is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. Ascend Justice does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Ascend Justice is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.