A Note from Our Executive Director, Sara B. Tennen | |
Friends,
As summer ends, I know many of you are settling back into routines at work and home. As you do, I hope you’ll set aside some time for our fall trainings. Designed specifically for our volunteer attorneys, these trainings offer a chance to build skills and feel even more prepared to support the survivors and children who need our help. They’re an important part of building a community that is ready to respond and provide access to justice. Read on for more details and to register.
October is also just around the corner, and with it, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s a time to make space for conversations that matter, to stand with survivors, and to keep pushing for a future where safety and justice are within reach. We’ll be sharing more leading up to and throughout the month. I hope you’ll follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and help spread awareness within your own networks.
Thank you, as always, for being part of our community. I’m grateful to have you with us as we work together to end the cycle of violence through pro bono legal aid.
Warmly,
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
| | | | 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 an Immigration Adjustment of Status in DC
Take the case of an Arabic-speaking survivor of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and female genital mutilation from Sudan. Volunteer Legal Advocates successfully represented the client in her expedite requests and at her affirmative asylum interview. She is now seeking assistance in filing an AOS green card application.
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Civil Protection Order Full Day Training
October 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM | DLA Piper
Gain the practical skills you need to represent survivors of domestic violence in crisis, from understanding the legal process to advocating effectively in the courtroom. This full-day training will prepare you to step in when your pro bono representation can make an immediate difference. 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
Learn what it takes and how you can serve as a Guardian ad litem in our Child Advocacy Program, advocating for the best interests of children navigating challenging situations. Lunch generously provided by K&L Gates LLP.
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Immigration Full Day Training
November 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM | Paul Hastings LLP
Learn how you can help immigrant survivors of domestic violence and vulnerable children access humanitarian immigration relief. This training will introduce you to the cases, legal tools, and opportunities to use your skills to help clients build safer, more stable futures. Lunch generously provided by Paul Hastings LLP.
| | Kudos to our August 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 August. | | |
Baker & Hostetler LLP: Noah Morris, Gabriel Trujillo-Lederer
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP: Ryan Bullard
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP: Blair Decker, David Jonas, Rebecca Mandel, Bryan Ricapito, Trent Sterneck, Samuel Yergin
King & Spalding LLP: Thomas Ewing
Latham & Watkins LLP: Jeremiah Davis, Anne Malinee
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McGuireWoods LLP: Anna Bintinger, Jeff Ehrlich
Price Benowitz LLP: April Cockerham
Ropes & Gray LLP: Ted Alexander, Lindsay Greene
U.S. Department of Labor: Andrew Lamotte
Unaffiliated: Katherine Wheatley, Tracy Zorpette
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP: Amy Elliott
Ashurst Perkins Coie LLP: Madison Plummer
Baker & Hostetler LLP: Cynthia Eapen
Dechert LLP: Rachel Harney
DLA Piper LLP: Emily Campo, Corey Mirman
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP: Emilee Schipske
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP: Anna Perina
Freshfields US LLP: Tyler Garrett
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP: Frederick Freeman
Hogan Lovells US LLP: Maxine Morgan, Elizabeth Shneider, Madeline Strasser, Laurine Verwiel
Implementing Contraceptive Access Now (ICAN): Kira Phillips
King & Spalding LLP: Maggie Clark, Aaron Xu
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Latham & Watkins LLP: Vanessa Le, Martin Levy, De Vann Sago, Mary Tursi
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP: Kelcey Phillips
O’Melveny & Meyers LLP: Kimberly Sudakow
Pfizer: Rachita Agarwal, Connie Matteo
Qiagen: Marifel Gonzalez
Reed Smith LLP: Alexa Chronister
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP: Laura Muñoz, Shloke Nair
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP: Alex Reilly
U.S. Department of Labor: Anne Bonfiglio
ZwillGen PLLC: Adya Baker
Unaffiliated: Sarah Ammons, Katie Bacharach, Kathleen Banar, Lindsay Coates, Hedda Garland, Lee Landesberg, Raeesah Maistry, Colleen Robbins, Jocelyn Samuels, Daphna Sher, David Siegel, Jessica So, Jay Stephens,Tracy Wirth, Anne Woodworth
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We're Hiring!
Volunteer Legal Advocates is looking for a Managing Attorney for our Family Law Practice within our Domestic Violence Program.
This is an opportunity for an experienced attorney to lead a team, mentor and support volunteer lawyers, provide high-quality representation to survivors, and help make sure people experiencing domestic violence can access the legal support they need.
We’re looking for an attorney with 5+ years of relevant legal experience, a commitment to working with survivors, and a passion for using the law to make a meaningful difference.
Have someone in your network who might be a great fit? Please share this opportunity with them. Learn more about the role and how to apply.
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