LevittQuinn Summer 2018 Newsletter

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LevittQuinn has been moving full speed ahead with some great stuff. Our 2017 Annual Report is out. We hope you'll take a look and learn about what we achieved in 2017 and the lives we impacted.

FamTech LA 2018 on July 14 was a blast! Much thanks to LQ Board member Cari Pines, as well as Kevin Mooney and Judge Thomas Trent Lewis for leading the faculty who graciously presented a full day of family law tech MCLE at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. Attendees enjoyed lunch catered by our friends at In-N-Out .

Volunteers have always been the lifeblood of this organization and we enjoyed honoring them at our annual volunteer appreciation reception on June 7. We said goodbye to summer law clerk Rachel Monas , a rising 1L at Loyola Law School, who we hope to welcome back soon. We are so lucky that retired commissioner James Endman has chosen to volunteer with us each week.

The 37th Annual Stand for Justice Gala is coming up on Saturday, September 22! This year we honor Judge Mitchell Beckloff and our own Dinah Conyers Ruch . Each honoree has directed their compassion for others into a lifetime of community service. I hope you will join us at Skirball Center to thank them for their good works. Please take a look at the silent auction preview below. Gala auction is a great place to make a serious dent in your holiday shopping list or set your 2019 travel plans.

The summer of 2018 has been a hot one. It is a good time to check in on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbors who might be especially susceptible to injury or even death from prolonged heat exposure. Our thoughts are with our fellow Californians affected by the fires raging throughout our state, and we are thankful for the brave souls fighting to save lives and property, and sorrowful over the lives we have lost. Let's be good to each other.

OUR 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

We've just released our 2017 Annual Report ! As you read through it, we hope that you will see that our prior year's achievements and progress is due to the collective efforts of our committed staff, volunteers, board, partners, and supporters. Thanks also to Gursey Schneider, LLP for working with us again this year to prepare our audited financial statement. You may access our 2017 statement on our website .

Together we work to make quality and responsive services affordable so that our clients don't need to choose between paying for basic necessities and critical, quality direct legal help.

FAMTECH LA 2018

FamTech LA 2018 brought together cutting edge tech information and experts to help advance the practice of Family Law in Los Angeles. We are grateful to all the attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and presenters who came together at the Japanese American National Museum. The JANM staff were so helpful to us - we look forward to working with them again soon.

A heartfelt thanks to LevittQuinn board member Cari Pines and to Kevin Mooney for all their work in putting the program together, and to Judge Thomas Trent Lewis for joining Cari and Kevin to share his knowledge and experience with the attendees. Summing up the day, Cari said, "W e did have some amazing presenters and covered important ground, including the e-filing coming to LA Superior Court's Family Law Department. We saw a live demonstration of a blood-alcohol testing device that sends instant test results to a mobile app and we got to preview a new separate property calculation website. Presenters shared useful tips for using tech in a family law office."

Attendees included firm attorneys and support staff, solo practitioners, and legal services/DV program attorneys and staff. It was a good and representative mix of our diverse LA Family Law legal community.

It would not be a LevittQuinn tech event without In-N-Out !

SILENT AUCTION PREVIEW

Take a look at these great vacation getaways available for mobile bidding during our Silent Auction. Bid on these items online or in person on September 22! Be sure to register for our Silent Auction in advance.

Maui Adventure:

Seven-night stay in a private home

An incredible stay in an estate-sized 4 bedroom/5 bath home built with superior construction and quality materials. Nestled in the Pinnacle, which is atop the lush hillside known as the Kaanapali Golf Estates, the property overlooks Kaanapali Golf Course with a stunning panoramic ocean view and island views of Lana'i and Moloka'i.

Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara:

One-night stay in a premier bungalow

Enjoy a one-night midweek stay in a Premier Bungalow at Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara. One of the finest downtown Santa Barbara hotels, Belmond El Encanto is nestled between lush green mountains and the dazzling blue sea. The town’s reputation as the "Jewel of the American Riviera" is well earned thanks to its mix of temperate weather, sophisticated style, and distinctive architecture.

Candlewood Inn, Healdsburg:

Two-night stay

The picturesque Calderwood Inn is located in Healdsburg, in the heart of Sonoma County wine country. Lovingly maintained and with all the modern amenities, the Calderwood Inn boasts a gourmet breakfast and luxurious accommodations, and a short five-minute walk to downtown Healdsburg and the famous Plaza. Sit on the gorgeous porch and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while watching the world go by, or curl up on the couch by a roaring fire.

The Phoenician, Scottsdale

Two-night stay

Enjoy a two-night stay in a deluxe view guestroom at the elegant Phoenician Scottsdale. The Phoenician is located at the base of Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale's Valley of the Sun, only nine miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

VOLUNTEER BEAT - SUMMER EDITION

As summer comes to a close, LevittQuinn is saying goodbye to our wonderful summer volunteers. Some highlights of the summer include celebrating our past and current volunteers at our third annual Volunteer Appreciation cocktail party, a moon-lit night watching the Dodgers beat the Cubs, and a relaxed evening of Friday Night Jazz at LACMA.

Dodgers v. Cubs

Friday Night Jazz at LACMA

Volunteer Appreciation Reception

Our volunteers help us provide day-to-day services in the office, as well as at our quarterly Veterans and Unite for Families clinics. In the months of June and July alone, our volunteers donated over 1100 hours of their time.

We held a goodbye celebration for Summer Law Clerk Rachel Monas , pictured here with Volunteer Coordinator Becky Miller .

Rachel completed her first year of legal studies at Loyola Law School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Wesleyan University.

We will miss her "can do" spirit!

Volunteer Profile - Hon. James Endman (Ret.)

Commissioner James Endman (Ret.) joined the LQ family as a volunteer this summer. Prior to retirement, Comm. Endman served 25 years on the Los Angeles Superior Court’s bench in the Family Law Department and is best known for the In re Marriage of Keech case which resulted in the concept of the “Keech declaration” that is used to support an attorney fee request. Prior to his service on the bench, Comm. Endman practiced family law for almost two decades. In addition to his volunteer efforts and world travels, Comm. Endman serves as a neutral with Alternative Resolution Centers handling family law matters. “Volunteering at LQ has been a wonderful experience. Having been on the bench for 25 years, it is gratifying to be able to give back help to the individuals. Most of all, it is nice to hear a truly felt ‘thank you’ when we are done.”

Lucia Reyes, Director of Legal Services , shared, "It has been a tremendous help having Comm. Endman volunteer with us during our Friday intake days. His presence, knowledge, and expertise has allowed us to assist clients we might otherwise have turned away due to limited availability. He has been a great help to our organization and the many clients we serve. I am very grateful to have him volunteering with us."

Interested in connecting with a trusted nonprofit working to help vulnerable folks address their unresolved legal issues? We work with our volunteers to make the most of their skills, experience, and interests. We can create an opportunity that fits your schedule. Sign up today !

ROSA'S STORY

" Rosa " finally had all she could take from her violent ex-boyfriend. Like others in her situation, she made attempts to leave her abuser, only to return. She had even filed for, and then abandoned, a restraining order request. But for the sake of their 5 year-old daughter, "Angela," this time was different. She went to court to get protection from further abuse and to secure custody of Angela. With both parents present in court, a judge granted Rosa a restraining order and full custody of their daughter with visits for her father.

But the restraining order wasn’t enough. Rosa’s ex-boyfriend violated the order multiple times, ultimately serving 9 months in jail. When Rosa’s ex got out of jail, he requested a restraining order against Rosa with no notice to her, convincing a court to order Rosa to stay away from him and to give him custody of Angela, with no visitation to Rosa. After not seeing Angela for almost a year, Rosa’s ex-boyfriend showed up at Rosa’s home with the police and a copy of his restraining order to take Angela away. By the time Rosa appeared in court on her ex’s requests, she was 9-months pregnant with a baby from her new relationship. She was feeling overwhelmed and desperate to reunite with Angela. But the court hearing did not go well.

Away from her daughter for close to a month, Rosa was losing hope that she’d ever be able to parent Angela again. Then, Rosa found hope in the form of a referral to LevittQuinn. Staff assessed Rosa’s situation and helped her get back in front of the judge. LevittQuinn attorney Becky Miller represented Rosa at three court hearings over two weeks, resulting in the court setting aside the ex-boyfriend’s orders, ordering him to return Angela to Rosa’s care, and securing renewed protection for Rosa.

Angela was excited to be home with her mom and her new sibling. And Rosa was grateful to have her nightmare over and both her little ones home with her.

Donate today to ensure continued support for families like Rosa's.

WE ARE HIRING

LevittQuinn Family Law Center is seeking to hire an Office Administrator and an entry-level Staff Attorney.

Join the team that last year helped 1,947 families , providing them with over $2.5 million in free to low-cost legal help when they most needed it, and that impacted the lives of 2,833 children .