OVERVIEW OF DV LEAD
The Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy Project (DV LEAD), formerly the Family Mentor Program:
- represents survivors of domestic violence through staff and volunteer attorneys in domestic violence protection order cases and family law cases,
- advocates for policies to support survivors, and
- enforces laws protecting survivors through the court process.
WHO WE SERVE
DV LEAD assists domestic violence survivors who have a low income in domestic violence protection order cases and contested family law cases where children are at risk because of domestic violence or where survivors have additional barriers to accessing the court system.
WHAT WE DO
DV LEAD provides direct representation in domestic violence protection order cases and family law cases through staff and volunteer attorneys. We prioritize cases where children are at risk because of domestic violence. We also prioritize cases where survivors have additional barriers to accessing the court system.
Volunteer attorneys new to domestic violence protection order and family law cases can receive initial training and ongoing mentorship from DV LEAD.
HOW TO BE INVOLVED:
VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS
If you are an attorney and are interested in volunteering with our program, please submit a form indicating your interest. We will contact you to set up a meeting with the Managing Attorney to learn more about our program and get information about training.
CLIENTS
If you are a potential client, call 211 or ask an advocate from a domestic violence advocacy organization to refer you.
ADVOCATES
If you are an advocate and would like to refer a client to DV LEAD, please send conflict information including client and opposing party’s name and date of birth to the DV LEAD Team. Please work with the client to identify their desired outcome or legal goal (i.e. obtaining a DVPO, a parenting plan, etc) and work with them to gather all related paperwork.
MENTORS and MENTEES
Please submit a form to indicate your interest.