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17 people are interested
Fighting for Domestic Violence Victims in Family Law Court
ORGANIZATION: DC Volunteer Lawyers Project
Please visit the new page to apply.
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17 people are interested
DC Volunteer Lawyers Project provides pro bono legal services to domestic violence victims and at-risk children.
Volunteers in our family law practice area help victims and their children find long-term safety and stability through a permanent custody and/or divorce order. These cases provide a full range of litigation experience, including discovery, motions, settlement negotiations, and hearings. On average, these cases last 6-12 months with court hearings once every 2-3 months. These cases often include long inactive periods between hearings, but on average, volunteers work about 10 hours per month. After the initial hearing, the volunteer has input into all subsequent hearing dates.
We offer to all volunteers: in-court supervision, comprehensive training programs, live and online; mentorship by an experienced supervising attorney, who reviews all written work and accompanies the volunteer to court; access to an extensive resource library, including sample pleadings; administrative support; malpractice insurance; and more.
To start the volunteering process, please register at http://www.dcvlp.org/registration. Then, please email eplaterzyberk@dcvlp.org for next steps. Thank you.
More opportunities with DC Volunteer Lawyers Project
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About DC Volunteer Lawyers Project
Location:
5335 WISCONSIN AVE NW STE 440, WASHINGTON, DC 20015, US
Mission Statement
The DC Volunteers Lawyers Project recruits, trains and mentors volunteer lawyers to provide high-quality, pro bono legal services to help domestic violence victims escape abusive relationships and establish new, independent lives; and to help at-risk children - living in homes where abuse, neglect, domestic violence, mental illness or drug abuse is present - find safe and stable homes. Join us in being a voice against violence. No DC Bar license required.
Description
DCVLP was founded to support the work of pro bono attorneys. Our 225 active volunteers are part of a team which includes a Supervising Attorney, a Client Advocate and support staff. We assign volunteers in pairs for additional support.
Our Supervising Attorneys are in court every day sitting by the volunteers’ side. They help prepare witnesses, respond to judges’ questions, handle combative respondents, and negotiate settlements. They are also available to review filings, provide insight into judges, and advise on case strategy. Our Paralegal helps with obtaining documents and preparing trial exhibits. So that volunteers can focus on the legal work, our Client Advocate helps clients' non-legal needs such as crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to much-needed social services. Our volunteer team is rounded out by our Volunteer Coordinator, who manages on-boarding and administrative needs, and our Domestic Violence Program Manager, who matches volunteers with cases and partner volunteers.
DCVLP offers dozens of training events annually, as well as online training videos. We provide an online library with pleadings, forms, case law, and practice tips, and a weekly e-newsletter with updates on our activities, legal resources, local events, and job listings. We also provide insurance, subscription resources, and office space.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
Throughout DC; Offices: 5335 Wisconsin AveWashington, DC 20015
DATE POSTED
January 25, 2018
SKILLS
- Crisis Intervention
- Family Law
- Litigation
- Advocacy
GOOD FOR
- People 55+
REQUIREMENTS
- Orientation or Training
- Up to one year