I graduated with honors from DePaul University Law School in 1984 and have been practicing law ever since then. I began my legal career as a criminal defense attorney at the Office of the State Appellate Defender.
In 1987, I moved to the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago ("LAF"), a not-for-profit agency which provides free civil legal services to low-income people. I worked at a neighborhood office on the south side of Chicago representing individual clients, primarily focusing on family law issues including divorce, custody and domestic violence Orders of Protection. I was also the staff attorney on LAF's Women's Law Project, which focused on systemic reform and public policy advocacy around issues that affect low-income women, such as the State's child support enforcement program, parental child abduction, domestic violence, child custody and divorce laws.
After 20 years as a public interest lawyer, I opened my own practice in 2004, concentrating in family law.
Throughout my legal career, I have participated in law-related organizations and activities. Some of the highlights are:
Chicago Council of Lawyers
- Children and Family Law Committee Chair (2006-Present)
- Member, Board of Governors (1990-93, 2000-02, 2006-07)
- Project Director, Child Support Reform Project (1993-2005)
Evanston YWCA 2008 - Present
- Monthly meetings with participants in domestic violence program to provide legal information and referrals
- Consultations with staff of Court Advocacy Project regarding Domestic Violence Orders of Protection
- Trainer at 40-hour domestic violence advocate training
Loyola ChildLaw Program 2007-Present
Faculty member, ChildLaw Trial Practice
Loyola Law School
Weekend JD Program taught Family Law class Fall 2018
LLM Program - developed and teach Financial Aspects of Divorce class
Illinois Task Force on Child Support 1988 - 1994
- Member, Board of Directors
- President (1992-1994)
Illinois State Bar Association Task Force
on Illinois Domestic Violence Act1990 - 1993
JOAN S. COLEN
Attorney at Law
