A Note from Our Executive Director, Sara B. Tennen

Friends,

Last month, I had the honor of testifying before Maryland’s Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of Senate Bill 433, introduced by State Senator Sara Love to prioritize the safety and stability of domestic violence survivors.

We were honored both to stand in strong support of this important bill and to mark an important milestone for Volunteer Legal Advocates’ expansion into Maryland: the opportunity to weigh in on Maryland judicial policy. Building on our long history of advocacy work in DC, we’re eager to advance policies in Maryland that better protect the survivors and children we serve.

I’m deeply grateful to Senator Love for her efforts to prioritize survivors, and thrilled to share that she will be our 2026 Champion of Justice at our Annual Benefit on May 7.

I hope you’ll be able to join us at the National Press Club for this special event. Your support could be life-changing for a survivor or child in need. Details, tickets, and sponsorship information can be found here.

Warmly,
Sara

Volunteer Opportunities & Updates

Calling all active volunteers!

It’s time to submit your volunteer hours. Please refer to your original assignment email.

If your actual hours differ significantly, please email your updated total to our team at hours@volunteerlegaladvocates.org

Admitted to the Bar Outside of DC or MD? You’re still covered! If you have active membership in another US state, you may practice in DC under the current Rules of Professional Responsibility and in MD under MD Rule 19-218.

Volunteer for a Case

Use your legal skills to help survivors and children build safe, stable futures. Every Volunteer Legal Advocates pro bono lawyer receives training, resources, and 1:1 support from a Supervising Attorney throughout your case.

I want to take a future case!

Volunteer at a Legal Clinic

Provide brief legal help to survivors and families in need in community spaces or virtually. Our free weekly walk-in legal clinics are a vital first step for clients seeking safety, stability, and support. Every volunteer receives 1:1 support.

I want to volunteer at a clinic!

New in Montgomery County: Domestic Violence Legal Forms Clinic

Assist survivors of domestic violence with drafting legal forms associated with their pending family law matter. Volunteer Legal Advocates' supervisors will be available during each shift to provide guidance. Volunteer attorneys must be either barred in Maryland or certified under Rule 1--218. Reserve your spot

Legal Clinic Update

Our 10 AM Friday Legal Clinic, previously held at the Bellevue Library, is now virtual to better meet our clients' needs. Want to volunteer? Reserve your spot

Can you take a case?

All Volunteer Legal Advocates pro bono attorneys are paired with an experienced Supervising Attorney who co-counsels on every case to provide support and backup.

Civil Protection Order Case of SO

Remote hearing: 3/24/2026

Represent a survivor of domestic violence in a civil protection order case against her abuser. The abuser threatened over text to physically assault the survivor, and the case includes a history of domestic violence. The parties have one child in common, and the survivor would benefit from an attorney who could assist with full representation in her case.

I want to take this case!

Serve as Guardian ad Litem for a 5-year-old

Status hearing: 4/24/2026

Advocate for the best interests of an autistic and non-verbal 5-year-old child in this mom v. dad custody case. Mom alleges that Dad does not properly care for the child. Dad lives in Maryland, and Mom lives in DC. Both parties are pro se.

I want to take this case!

Serve as Guardian ad Litem for a 5-year-old

Pre-trial hearing: 8/5/2026 | Trial: 9/2/2026-9/3/2026

Advocate for the best interests of a 5-year-old child in this dad v. mom custody case. Dad lives in New York, and Mom lives in DC. The child is located in DC. Dad alleges that Mom has concealed the child from him in the past. Both parties are pro se.

I want to take this case!

Volunteer Spotlight: Alex Reilly

Alex Reilly, member of our Junior Board, is an Associate at Stradley Ronon and her firm's 2026 Pro Bono Service Award recipient.

"My work with Volunteer Legal Advocates has sharpened my ability to work through tense situations to find a solution. Navigating these emotional cases requires a balance of empathy and pragmatism that would translate directly to any practice area."

Get to know Alex

Upcoming Trainings & Events

We welcome all current and prospective volunteers to our trainings. Whether you're new to this work or a seasoned litigator, your voice and commitment to justice are vital. For even more opportunities, visit our Online Training Hub for Volunteers!

Family Law Training

March 3, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Hosted by Fried Frank LLP

Learn to help domestic violence survivors and their children find long-term safety and stability through a permanent custody and/or divorce order.

Child Advocacy Training

March 18, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Hosted by Morgan Lewis LLP

Learn how you can become a Guardian ad litem, a court-appointed representative for children in need, in our Child Advocacy Program.

Volunteer Events Calendar

Kudos to our February Volunteers

To our volunteers: we’re deeply grateful for all you do to support survivors and children. Special thanks to those listed below for closing cases or serving at legal clinics in February!

Meet Our Volunteers

Case Volunteers

Freshfields US LLP: Chase Gordon, Hal Brewster and Heather Lamberg

Hogan Lovells LLP: Cassady Cohick, Alex Reid, Elizabeth Shneider and Anes Sung

King & Spalding LP: Erin Sullivan

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP: Lisanne Crowley, Benjamin Duwve, Barbara Etkind, Sahara Shrestha

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP: Fedel Estefanos, and Zac Hardwick

Unaffiliated: Jon Pifer, Colleen Robbins

Clinic Volunteers

Cooley LLP: Zhipeng Zheng

Crowell & Moring LLP: Laurel Saito

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP: Thayer Ellis

Fenwick & West LLP: Kanome’ Jones

FDA: Megan Andersen

Hogan Lovells US LLP: Chris Drier, Viraj Paul, Reilly Rastello, Marissa Shaw

Holland & Knight LLP: Susan Wegner

King & Spalding LLP: Janese Duley

Latham & Watkins LLP: Vanessa Le, Anne Malinee, Lauren McGuire, De Vann Sago

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP: Celine Amini, Jim Kimble

O’Melveny & Meyers LLP: Kimberly Sudakow

Parker Simon Law, LLC: Julian Moss

Reed Smith LLP: Alexa Chronister

Rubiner Strategies LLC: Laurie Rubiner

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP: Adrienne Baxley, Erin Magnoffie

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP: Kirin Gupta, Laura Muñoz, Shloke Nair

U.S. Department of Labor: Anne Bonfiglio, Erin Mohan

U.S. House of Representatives: Brenna Culliton

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP: Josh Mogil

World Bank Group: New-Doe Kaledzi

Unaffiliated: Katie Bacharach, Mary Elizabeth Beim, Jenny Brody, Deniz Ergener, Dale Harburg, David Kanstoroom, Sarah Oppenheim, Alexis Rivera, Daphna Sher, Colleen Robbins, Matthew Wexler, Anne Woodworth

March 2026