The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence (The Network), the leading domestic violence advocacy organization in Illinois, awarded Dentons with its distinguished Leadership Award. Dentons was recognized for the pro bono work it did in partnership with The Network’s member service providers regarding the Order of Protection Appeals project.

Dentons originally co-developed the Order of Protection Appeals project with Legal Aid Chicago and Ascend Justice to address the reality that the Illinois Domestic Violence Act was being misapplied in the Domestic Violence trial courts. Since the beginning of the project, Dentons and its legal aid partners have handled approximately 20 appeals, and have a record of 18-2. The project has led to three published opinions that have substantially improved access to justice in the domestic violence courtrooms. Most recently, a pro bono team from Dentons represented a domestic violence survivor who was wrongfully denied a Plenary Order of Protection despite clear evidence that she had been abused. In August 2022, the First District Appellate Court reversed the trial court’s denial, resulting in a victory for survivors across the state.

Dentons’ pro bono program is led by partner Ben Weinberg, who encourages and facilities pro bono participation across the Firm and helps develop and support community service partnerships with Firm clients. 

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