KUDOS to our March Volunteers

Celebrating Our Volunteers: March Highlights

In March, our volunteer attorneys stood alongside survivors of domestic violence and vulnerable children throughout DC and Montgomery County, MD. Through pro bono legal services, they provided compassionate and crucial support during some of the most challenging moments in our clients’ lives. We are deeply thankful for their partnership and for the powerful role they play in advancing safety, stability, and justice.

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MARCH KUDOS

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence

• Sana Mesiya (Everytown Law) – Zealously represented her domestic violence survivor client, resulting in the entry of a 2-year Civil Protection Order soon after commencing representation.
• Sylvia Zhou (Williams & Connolly LLP) – Drafted a thorough and persuasive opposition to the abuser’s motion to vacate, and had a detailed preparation for and arguments at the motions hearing. Thanks to Sylvia’s hard work, the abuser’s motion to vacate the Civil Protection Order was denied, and the client continues to have the protection she needs!
• Florina Lam and Joanne Grossman (Covington & Burling LLP) – Did outstanding work on their survivor’s custody case. We appreciate their proactivity, professionalism, and dedication throughout the case.
• Lizzie Spaeth, Nicki Ghazarian-Foye, and Cassady Cohick (Hogan Lovells LLP) – Helped their domestic violence survivor client obtain a 2-year Civil Protection Order with all the relief the client was requesting.
• Blake Hite (The Bruman Group, PLLC) – Provided compassionate and thorough representation of his domestic violence survivor client. Blake helped the client obtain a 2-year Civil Protection Order with all the relief she sought.

Advocating for Children

• Christopher Pascual (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) and Marla Woodarek (Department of Veterans Affairs) – Provided steadfast representation of their child client, and worked with the parties to reach a consent Permanent Custody Order that is in the child’s best interest.
• Emily Pehrsson and Moriah Daugherty (Covington & Burling LLP) – Passionately represented two young boys, resulting in an improved custodial schedule to which the parties agreed without the need for trial.
• Max Demers and Morgan Kurst (Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver, & Jacobson LLP) – Provided steadfast representation of their child client, leading to a consent Permanent Custody Order that is in the child’s best interest, giving the child a safe and stable home with his father while still having safe access to his mother.
• Lauren McGuire (Latham & Watkins LLP) and Emani Walks (Morrison & Foerster LLP) – Completed their 22-month GAL representation of two children that involved two separate trials and investigations in multiple jurisdictions and resulted in stability and safety for the children.
• Laura Griffen and Jill Sayenga – Did a great job negotiating with the parties and facilitating a (complex) custody agreement!
• Candice Geller (U.S. Department of Justice) and Allison Gilley (U.S. House Office of the Legislative Counsel) – Represented their child client with empathy and persistence, resulting in transformational changes for the family and a settlement agreement in the child’s best interest.

Fighting for Immigrant Rights

• Mya Green (Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz P.C.) – Has been a great asset in her case. She is persistent and keeps communication with the client, even when the client is withdrawn or going through personal matters.
• Lisanne Crowley, Benjamin Duwve, Barbara Etkind, Sahara Shrestha (Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP) – Have done a great job following up with the client. They quickly got the recertification together and reached out to the court once they reengaged with the client.

Pursuing Justice in the Courtroom

• Brenna Culliton (US House of Representatives) – Enthusiastically participated in the pre-hearing process, engaged in negotiation/conversation with the abuser, developed a rapport with the survivor client, and stood and spoke to the Judge confidently while in open court. For her first time in court in many years, she did fantastically.

Going Above and Beyond

• Sharelle Love – Was amazing throughout the entire trial process.  She made herself available to the client on their schedule (including very late at night).  She was understanding of the client’s indecision about proceeding with the Protective Order, while at the same time firm in her attempt to explain the ramifications of the client’s decisions.  She was well prepared.  During the hearing, Sharelle was incredibly compassionate with the client, providing tissues and holding her hand when she sensed the client was having a difficult time.  Lastly, Sharelle was able to speak up in Court to ensure the client’s wishes were reflected in the final order.