Domestic Violence Legal Services
Life Span’s approach to ending domestic and sexual violence is a nationally recognized model that provides safety, empowerment and a lasting solution.
Our legal program is staffed by a diverse staff of 15 attorneys, four paralegals and four criminal court advocates who have expertise and years of experience in contested family law cases and criminal court advocacy; distinguishing our program from any other in Illinois. We operate a number of innovative and collaborative programs specifically created to reach underserved populations.
Representation and advocacy is provided across Cook County including Chicago, Rolling Meadows, Bridgeview and Skokie courthouses, and is available in Spanish, Urdu, Hindi, Korean, Russian, and a number of other languages upon request.
Life Span Assists with the following:
- Divorce and Parentage
- Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time (formerly called Custody and Visitation)
- Child and Spousal Support
- Orders of Protection
- Civil No Contact Orders
- Other Family Law Cases, Including Post Decree Matters and Appellate Work
- Immigration Legal Services
- Legal Advocacy in Criminal Court
- Legal Advocacy with Issues Stemming from Sexual Assault
- Illlinois Crime Victims Compensation Act Advocacy
- Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) Advocacy
- Illinois Safe Homes Act Advocacy
Special Projects and Collaborations
Criminal Court Advocacy
Criminal court advocates assist domestic violence victims who seek criminal orders of protection and criminal prosecution of their abusers, accompanying victims to court and providing support throughout the process. We offer this service at the Chicago Domestic Violence Courthouse, the Rolling Meadows Courthouse and the Skokie Courthouse.
Multi-disciplinary Team Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Collaborations (MDT)
Life Span partners with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Family Rescue, and the Cook County Department of Probation to implement a proactive response to domestic violence incidents in the Chicago Police Department’s Area South where there may be an elevated risk for harm or death. Our Sexual Assault Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) includes the prosecutor, the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Cook County Department of Probation, as well as Rape Victim Advocates (RVA); and provides a similar focused response to sexual assault crimes in the CPD’s Area North.
Arab American Project
This project provides legal services to victims of domestic and sexual violence who are recent immigrants from the Middle East, many of whom are Muslims. Services include representation in orders of protection, divorce and allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time and support. This project is staffed by a bicultural and bilingual attorney.
Police Project
Life Span has developed a nationally renowned program addressing the needs of domestic violence and/or sexual assault victims whose abusers are law enforcement personnel. These victims face even greater isolation and obstacles to obtaining permanent safety. Knowledgeable in the disciplinary processes of multiple police departments in Cook County, Life Span provides counseling, advocacy, and legal representation to this special population.