Family Violence Appellate Project

Giving survivors a second chance at justice

While FVAP is open and our services continue to be available, as of March 9, 2020, in order to ensure the safety and well-being of clients and FVAP staff, we are meeting with visitors only by appointment until further notice. Please call our office line at 510-858-7358 to make an appointment or if you have any questions.
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Announcements

Inspiring FVAP client story published by Clearinghouse Community

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Today Clearinghouse Community, an online magazine from the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, published an article by FVAP Senior Attorney Shuray Ghorishi, “How Battered Immigrants Can Obtain Economic Stability in Court,” which tells the story of one of our beloved clients and how FVAP was able to empower her to get the justice and financial stability she deserved. “Every day Allison* had to choose: stay and risk her safety and well-being, or leave and risk extreme poverty—even homelessness.”
*name changed for privacy

New website: Thanks to our Taproot pro bono team!

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We’re thrilled to share our new website, which was designed and created thanks to a service grant from the Taproot Foundation. Check out our new Cases You Can Use resource, and the new and improved Legal Resource Library, home to FVAP’s self-help legal tools (tip sheets, tool kits, template court documents) and on-demand training videos. These resources are free for all California domestic abuse survivors, their pro bono attorneys, and advocates/service providers across the state, including CPEDV and LAAC members. Thanks to Taproot for partnering with us to create a new website that will reach and help domestic violence survivors across California, especially our pro bono team: Mike Long, Pat Mohan, Liz Reeser, Angie Marioni, and Andrew Mahoney.

New legal victory makes it easier for survivors to renew restraining orders

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Our latest successful appeal makes it easier for domestic violence survivors to renew restraining orders. Priscila N. v. Leonardo G. extends the protections of FVAP’s Nov. 15 legal victory (Garcia v. Escobar), by clarifying for the first time that California family courts can renew restraining orders issued by juvenile courts. Many thanks to our co-counsel in this important case, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, especially arguing attorney Joanna McCallum. Thanks also to California Women’s Law Center and Pepper Hamilton LLP for submitting a compelling amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief about the legislative issues and implications.​ Read More

Landmark legal victory: ROs issued by juvenile court can now be renewed in family court

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This landmark decision will help countless abuse survivors across California get the protection they need. For the first time ever, a California court ruled that family courts can renew restraining orders issued by juvenile courts. And because the 2nd District Court of Appeal decided to publish its opinion in this case, it is now binding legal precedent for all trial courts statewide. Thanks to our pro bono partners on this case, Mayer Brown LLP, especially arguing attorney Samantha Booth and partner Donald Falk. Thanks also to Pepper Hamilton LLP for submitting a compelling amicus brief in this case on behalf of California Women’s Law Center. Read More

Update: CA survivors can now get ROs against out-of-state cyber abusers

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Today the appellate court granted our publication request in the case of Hogue v. Hogue, making the decision binding legal precedent in trial courts statewide. California victims of domestic cyber abuse will now be able to get restraining orders against out-of-state abusers. Many thanks to our pro bono counsel on this case, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP, especially arguing attorney, partner Kelly Dermody. Read More