KUDOS to our January Volunteers

Celebrating Our Volunteers: January Highlights

In January, our volunteer attorneys continued to commit their time, expertise, and unwavering support to survivors and children across DC and in Montgomery County, MD. Their compassion and advocacy make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve, and we are grateful for their partnership in ensuring justice for every survivor and family.

Are you interested in getting involved or learning more about our volunteer opportunities?

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JANUARY KUDOS

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence

• Christine Bachman was staunchly committed to her domestic violence survivor client and worked hard to prepare for the trial that led to a 2-year Civil Protection Order.
• Abby Jones, Valeria Komorov, and Kate St. Romain (Friend Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP) – Helped their domestic violence survivor client obtain a 2-year Civil Protection Order with all the relief she was seeking against a very dangerous abuser.
• Sam Yergin, David Jonas, and Blair Decker (Hogan Lovells LLP) – Worked tirelessly on their case, including over the holidays, to get their client everything that she deserves!
• Abby Jones, Charles Scharf, and Kate St. Romain (Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP) – Provided excellent representation of their domestic violence survivor client.  The team helped the client obtain a 2-year Civil Protection Order with all the relief she sought.
• Rebecca Wilton, Jamie Hannah, and Fleming Farrell (Hogan Lovells LLP) – Fiercely advocated for their survivor client and provided the client with excellent and compassionate representation for over two years in a challenging custody case.

Advocating for Children

• Amanda Allen and Justin Hutchings (Hogan Lovells LLP) – Provided diligent and tireless advocacy on behalf of their two young child-clients. After an extensive trial in August 2025, the Court accepted the volunteers’ arguments, made a finding of parental kidnapping, and adopted their permanent custody recommendation in its entirety. The children are significantly safer due to the volunteers’ representation.
• Annique Roberts and Maia McFarlin (Latham & Watkins LLP) – Represented their infant client in a custody dispute that resulted in a permanent consent agreement that allows the child to remain in his mother’s care while still spending meaningful time with his father.
• Sarah Barron (US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), Matthew Chai (US Department of Justice), and Susan Rubel – Zealously represented their 8- and 10-year-old clients, achieving a result that is in the best interests of the children.

Fighting for Immigrant Rights

• Thomas Ewing and the Team at King and Spalding LLP – Were diligent and dedicated to this case. They followed the guidance and prepared extensive documents to ensure clients’ understanding of the ongoing case. They sought medical and educational records to bolster the best interests arguments and obtained a date in 2 months from filing to make sure the client’s mother could have custody in place, in case any immediate medical decisions were made. This team was kind and trauma-informed throughout the state court process and was a pleasure to supervise.
• Rachel Buff (Hogan Lovells LLP) – Was incredibly communicative, helpful, and attentive throughout the whole Asylum process, even while out of the office.

Pursuing Justice in the Courtroom

• Colleen Robbins – Had fantastic hearing preparation and trial presence. Our clients are lucky to have such a kind, compassionate, and experienced advocate for survivors such as Colleen.
• Hedda Garland – Assisted in negotiating a successful outcome for her domestic violence survivor client.

Going Above and Beyond

• Meghan Hart (ArentFox Schiff LLP) – Went above and beyond first in trying to get the abuser served, and then in working overtime to get trial prep ready and the client prepared when we received last-minute confirmation that the abuser would be attending the hearing. Her presence made a big difference for the client!
• Angela Silva (Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP) and Tracy Zorpette – Their 17-month representation of their four child clients resulted in a consent permanent custody order. Through their representation, they connected their clients to numerous services and greatly improved their living conditions, school attendance, and safety.