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A Note from Our Executive Director, Sara B. Tennen
Friends,
As July begins, I've been thinking about the power of community action.
After months of uncertainty, we're relieved and grateful that critical funding for Access to Justice and Victim's Services was restored in the DC budget. Thank you to everyone who raised your voice, shared your story, contacted elected officials, or stood alongside Volunteer Legal Advocates and our partners to speak up for survivors. Your efforts made a significant difference.
With the United States marking 250 years, I'm also thinking about the kind of country we want to leave for the next generation. The freedoms we celebrate on the Fourth of July come with a responsibility to care for our neighbors and to help build communities where everyone can live safely and thrive.
I couldn't be more grateful to get to do this essential work alongside you. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe Fourth of July!
Warmly,
Sara
| | Standing with Our Partners | | |
In June, several of our partner legal services organizations serving unaccompanied immigrant children were subjected to federal immigration enforcement actions while simply carrying out their missions.
We know firsthand the dedication and compassion this work requires, and we stand firmly with our partners in the face of these troubling actions. At Volunteer Legal Advocates, we are honored to represent immigrant survivors of gender-based violence who have come to our country seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives. They turn to legal aid organizations for support during some of the most difficult moments they will ever face.
We are grateful for the organizations and advocates who do this critical work every day, and we remain committed to ensuring that survivors and families can access the legal support they need with dignity and respect.
| | Volunteer Opportunities & Updates | |
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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
Recently closed a case or staffed a clinic? Please share your feedback! Your input helps us better support you and our shared clients. Share your thoughts
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Important Legal Clinic Update
Beginning July 9th, our AHF Capitol Hill clinic, previously held on Wednesday afternoons, will move to AHF K Street, at 1701 K St NW #400. The clinic will be held every Thursday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Want to volunteer? Reserve your spot
| | | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | |
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.
Represent a Survivor in an Adjustment of Status (Green Card) Case
Represent a survivor of LGBTQ gender-based violence from Zimbabwe, who Volunteer Legal Advocates successfully assisted in acquiring asylum. He is now seeking assistance in submitting an adjustment of status application. The client is English-speaking.
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Represent Survivor TD in a Civil Protection Order Case in DC
Remote Hearing 7/7/2026
Take the case of a survivor of domestic violence against her abuser as she pursues a civil protection order. The abuser has physically assaulted the survivor, dragged her by her hair, choked her with a cord, and damaged her sofa with a knife. The survivor would benefit from a pro bono attorney who could assist with full representation in her case.
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Represent Survivor RC in a Civil Protection Order Case in DC
Remote Hearing 7/7/2026
Take the case of a survivor of domestic violence against her abuser as she pursues a civil protection order. The parties have one child in common. The abuser has physically assaulted the survivor, strangled her, and damaged her car. The survivor would benefit from a pro bono attorney who could assist with full representation in her case.
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Represent Survivor SL in a Civil Protection Order Case in DC
Remote Hearing 7/9/2026
Take the case of a survivor of domestic violence against her abuser as she pursues a civil protection order. The parties have a serious history of domestic violence, which includes strangulation and assault. During the most recent incident, the abuser prevented the survivor from leaving a hotel room and threatened to kill her. The survivor would benefit from a pro bono attorney who could assist with full representation in her case.
| | Upcoming Trainings & An Exciting Fundraiser | | |
Navigating Child Sexual Abuse Lunch & Learn: Disclosures and Investigations
July 15, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Virtual
Join attorneys from Volunteer Legal Advocates’ Child Advocacy Program for a virtual lunch & learn on navigating child sexual abuse disclosures and investigations.
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Language Access Best Practices Lunch & Learn
August 12, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Virtual
Join Volunteer Legal Advocates and Ayuda for a virtual lunch & learn on working effectively with Ayuda, including scheduling, interpreter best practices, a LanguageLine demo, and how to apply these guidelines when volunteering with us.
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Jessie Altman Record Release Show & Benefit for Volunteer Legal Advocates
July 23, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Songbyrd DC
We're grateful to the talented Jessie Altman for dedicating her hometown show to Volunteer Legal Advocates! Jessie is a rising force in music, named one of SPIN’s “Top Emerging Artists.” She is set to return to the road for a 2026 summer tour as she prepares to release her forthcoming second album on September 25, 2026, led by the single “Barcelona.” See her perform live at Songbyrd DC and support our work at the same time. All ticket sales will go to Volunteer Legal Advocates and be matched.
| | Kudos to our June 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 June. | | |
Amazon: Wandaly Fernandez Garcia
Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP: James Attridge, Maryanne Magnier, Duncan Weals
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP: Molly Diamondstein, Abby Jones, Valeria Komarov, Shawn Lavi, Katherine St. Romain
Hogan Lovells US LLP: Nicole Banton, Jenna Blankenship, Adam Cooke, Blair Decker, Fleming Farrell, Kacey Hirtle, Melissa Jacobs, Ashley Johnson, Eryn Lin, Surya Swaroop
Immyrse: Sarah Gilcrest
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Johnson, Marcou, & Isaacs LLC: George Marcou
Latham & Watkins LLP: Mary Adeyemi, Jasmine Benjamin, Anne Malinee, Maia McFarlin, Annique Roberts
Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C.: Surya Iyer
US Food and Drug Administration: Megan Andersen
Wiley Rein LLP: Gabby Vance
Unaffiliated: Karen Bosshart, Rinad Bsharat, Tamara Scott, Julie Sommers Neuman, Sara Tye, Anne Woodworth
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP: Amy Elliott
Baker & Hostetler LLP: Cynthia Eapen
Capital One: Katie Sint
Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC: Serena Jarwala
DLA Piper LLP: Michael Essiaw, Traneke Hamrick, Elle Jiminez, Corey Mirman
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP: Sarah Ammons
Hogan Lovells US LLP: Chigozie Akah, John Athridge, Noah Brown, Ali Morris
Implementing Contraceptive Access Now (ICAN): Kira Phillips
King & Spalding LLP: Sue Moon, Jeanna Murphy
Latham & Watkins LLP: Vanessa Le, De Vann Sago
Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd: Maida Hughes
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP: Jim Kimble, Kelcey Phillips
O’Melveny & Meyers LLP: Kimberly Sudakow
Perkins Coie LLP: Ryan Maddock, Caroline Mew
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Reed Smith LLP: Alexa Chronister
Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP: Caitlynn Corie
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP: Kirin Gupta, Laura Muñoz, Shloke Nair
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP: Alex Reilly
Steptoe LLP: Erin Heaney
Troutman Pepper Locke: Charlene Goldfield
The Nature Conservancy: Leslie Terrones-Schessl
U.S. Department of the Interior: Genette Gaffney, Adriana Pukalski
U.S. House of Representatives: Brenna Culliton
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP: Yeabsira Asrat, Fatou Jallow, Sarah McLean, Sophie Regard, Sabrina Schloss, Winnie Wang
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP: Greg Isrealsen, Cristina Jaramillo, Josh Mogil, Rhonda Schmidtlein
Unaffiliated: Katie Bacharach, Jenny Brody, Amelia French, Raeesah Maistry, Soo Min Lee, Jon Pifer, Jocelyn Samuels, Daphna Sher, David Siegel, Tracy Wirth, Anne Woodworth
| | Volunteer Legal Advocates Selected for
Spur Local's 2026 Class | | |
We're proud to share that Volunteer Legal Advocates has been selected as part of Spur Local's 2026 class!
Spur Local helps connect community members with trusted local nonprofits making a meaningful impact across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We are honored to be recognized alongside organizations working every day to strengthen our communities and improve lives.
Through this partnership, we'll have the opportunity to reach new supporters and raise awareness about our mission to end the cycle of violence for survivors and children through pro bono legal aid.
We are grateful to Spur Local for investing in local nonprofits and helping connect more people with causes they care about.
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