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.
