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 our Des Plaines office to work primarily in the north and northwest suburban area.

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, 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 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 with 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 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 Des Plaines office. The Life Span Des Plaines office is located steps away from the Des Plaines 

METRA station.. Des Plaines is a Northwest Chicago suburb, near O’Hare. Free building parking is 

available.

Hybrid Remote Position: This is a hybrid remote position after onboarding and orientation training.

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: Please Include Cover Letter.

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.