A Note from Our Executive Director, Sara B. Tennen | |
Friends,
It's hard to believe we're more than halfway through the year. It’s been a particularly busy one for us at Volunteer Legal Advocates, as more survivors and children than ever have turned to us in search of safety, stability, and justice. I’m so thankful to have a powerful community of volunteer attorneys and supporters who make it possible for us to support them.
I’m proud, too, of our recently released 2025 Annual Report, a celebration of what we've accomplished together. I hope you'll take a few minutes to explore it and see the impact you've helped make possible for thousands of survivors and children across DC and MD.
We couldn’t do this work without you, and we hope you’ll continue on the journey with us. Read on for upcoming trainings, clinic and case opportunities, and more.
Wishing you a wonderful rest of your summer,
Sara
| | 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
Our AHF Capitol Hill clinic, previously held on Wednesday afternoons, has moved to AHF K Street, at 1701 K St NW #400. The clinic is now every Thursday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
| | | | 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.
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Represent a Survivor in a CPO Case in DC
Remote Hearing 8/19/2026
Take the case of a survivor of domestic violence against her abuser as she pursues a civil protection order. The abuser physically assaulted the survivor, including choking, slapping and kicking her, resulting in severe bodily injuries. The survivor would benefit from a pro bono attorney to represent her at her upcoming hearings and trial.
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Represent a Survivor in a Civil Protection Order Case in DC
Remote Hearing 8/20/2026
Take the case of a survivor of domestic violence against her abuser as she pursues a civil protection order. The abuser threatened to physically assault the survivor, broke her window and punched holes in her wall. The survivor would benefit from a pro bono attorney to represent her at her upcoming hearings and trial.
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Represent a Survivor in a Family Law Case in DC
Limited Representation ending by 8/29/2026
Take the case of a survivor of domestic violence against her abuser as she pursues custody of their one child in common. There is a history of domestic violence, including incidents of physical abuse. The survivor is seeking limited representation to continue negotiating with opposing counsel in hopes of reaching a final settlement to resolve the case without the need for trial, and would greatly benefit from an attorney's assistance.
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Represent a Survivor in a Custody Case in Montgomery County, MD
Remote Scheduling Hearing 9/17/2026
Take the case of a Spanish-speaking survivor of domestic violence against her abuser as she pursues custody. The parties have one child in common. There is a history of physical abuse, and her abuser was incarcerated for the abuse. Survivor has a Protective Order in place. Volunteer involvement includes the opportunity to represent the survivor at her Scheduling Hearing and all subsequent hearings. Survivor would benefit from a Spanish-speaking pro bono attorney or a pro bono attorney willing to use LanguageLine.
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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 interpreter banks, interpreter best practices, a Language Line demo, and how to apply these guidelines when volunteering with us. This is for any attorney who wishes to improve their skills when working with a client who speaks a different language.
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Immigration Full Day Training
September 22, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM | Paul Hastings LLP
Learn how you, as a pro bono attorney, can help immigrant survivors of domestic violence and vulnerable children seeking humanitarian immigration relief. Lunch generously provided by Paul Hastings LLP.
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Civil Protection Order Full Day Training
October 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM | DLA Piper
Learn to help survivors of domestic violence secure immediate safety. This full-day training will cover the legal process, effective courtroom advocacy, and trauma-informed representation for survivors in crisis. Lunch generously provided by DLA Piper.
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Child Advocacy Full Day Training
November 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM | K&L Gates LLP
Interested in becoming a Guardian ad litem in our Child Advocacy Program? Learn how during this special training for pro bono attorneys. Lunch generously provided by K&L Gates LLP.
| | Kudos to our July 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 July. | | |
Baker & Hostetler LLP: Noah Morris, Gabriel Trujillo-Lederer
Covington & Burling LLP: Moriah Daugherty, Lia Metreveli
Crowell & Moring LLP: Ani Mard, John McCarthy
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP: Molly Diamondstein, Meredith Johnson, Valeria Komarov, Shawn Lavi, Jonathan Picado, Katherine St. Romain, Robert Starling
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP: Briana Borgolini, Blair Decker
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Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP: Deborah Bogoslaw, Joe Fiorill
Price Benowitz LLP: April Cockerham
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP: Hayley Booker, Sara McCarthy, Karen Christian, Madison Zardiackas
Verizon Communications Inc: Neer Gupta, Eddy Valverde
Unaffiliated: Shari Boscolo, Katherine Wheatley
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Baker & Hostetler LLP: Cynthia Eapen, Justin Murphy
Ballard Spahr LLC: Brianna Howard
Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC: Serena Jarwala
Covington & Burling LLP: Emily Pehrsson
Dechert LLP: Atena Sheibaninejad
DLA Piper LLP: Jennifer Don, Corey Mirman, Jack Morgan
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP: Jessica Abrahams, Aly Jiminez
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP: Sarah Ammons
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP: Fred Freeman
Hogan Lovells US LLP: Ali Morris, Deborah Wei
King & Spalding LLP: Leah Grossi
Latham & Watkins LLP: Lerato Cummings, Mary Tursi, Wenjia Yu
Medtronic: Erin Pulice
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O’Hagan Meyer: Daniel Trjillo Esmeral
Perkins Coie LLP: Jordan Connors, Maggie McCallister, Madison Plummer
Pfizer: Connie Matteo, Jennifer Maccauley, Shehzad Siddiqui
Reed Smith LLP: Alexa Chronister
Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP: Cem Garay, Vineeta Kamath
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP: Kirin Gupta, Shloke Nair
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP: Alex Reilly
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP: Charlene Goldfield
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Catherine Lee
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP: Cristina Jaramillo
Unaffiliated: Lindsay Coates, Hedda Garland, David Kanstoroom, Sharelle Love, Raeesah Maistry, Colleen Robbins, Daphna Sher, David Siegel, Jay Stephens, Liz Symonds, Tracy Wirth
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