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. Our helpline is (510) 380-6243, and our business line is 510-858-7358. You may also email us at info@fvaplaw.org.
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Announcements

Staff Attorney – Housing Job Opening

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About Family Violence Appellate Project

Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) is the only organization in California dedicated to appealing cases on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse. We are committed to social justice and are dedicated to shaping California law to prioritize the safety of survivors and their children by representing clients in the California Courts of Appeal, submitting amicus curiae briefs in cases of statewide importance, monitoring unpublished cases daily and requesting publication of important appellate cases, and engaging in legislative and systems change advocacy efforts. We are also committed to supporting the statewide network of advocates for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and legal aid service providers, by providing trainings, technical assistance, and written informational materials, and by facilitating information exchange among statewide stakeholders supporting survivors.

Since its inception in 2018, FVAP’s Housing and Employment Justice Program has expanded FVAP’s practice area by providing its services, trainings and resources to advocates and attorneys helping survivors with housing and employment issues, representing survivors in housing appeals, and engaging in policy and legislative advocacy to increase survivors’ access to safe housing and employment. If you are interested in being part of this exciting social justice movement and resource for domestic violence survivors and advocates across California, this is the place for you!  You can learn more at www.fvaplaw.org.

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Staff Attorney Job Opening

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Family Violence Appellate Project is the only organization in California dedicated to appealing civil cases on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse.  We are committed to social justice and are dedicated to shaping California law to prioritize the safety of survivors and their children by representing clients in the California Courts of Appeal, submitting amicus curiae briefs in cases of statewide importance, monitoring unpublished cases daily and requesting publication of important appellate cases, and engaging in legislative and systems change advocacy efforts.  We are also committed to supporting the statewide network of advocates for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and legal aid service providers by providing trainings, technical assistance, and written informational materials, and by facilitating information exchange among statewide stakeholders supporting survivors.  If you are interested in being part of this exciting social justice movement and resource for survivors and advocates across California, this is the place for you!  You can learn more at www.fvaplaw.org.

FVAP is seeking a full-time attorney to join our exceptional and dynamic staff in our Oakland, California office.  We value diverse experiences and backgrounds.  FVAP’s clientele is extremely diverse, and we serve individuals and advocates throughout the state, including rural, suburban, and urban populations.  The ideal candidate will bring skills and experiences enabling the candidate to serve these diverse populations adeptly in the context of appellate litigation.  Any candidate must be willing to pitch in wherever needed to support a small nonprofit.  The immediate supervisor is the Director of Programs.

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FVAP Legal Victory Helps Survivors Renew Restraining Orders and Prevent Litigation Abuse

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Today we received news that our request for partial publication of the case In re Marriage of Carlisle was granted! The published opinion states that trial courts have jurisdiction to renew domestic violence restraining orders (DVRO) even when the original DVRO is pending on appeal. This means survivors of abuse can still be protected, even if the restrained party in the case files an appeal of the original restraining order.

This publication is also a victory because it clearly prevents abusers from trying to use appeals of DVROs to postpone renewals of restraining orders, which is litigation abuse.

FVAP Law Clerk Openings Summer 2021 – Remote and Possible In-Office

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Law Clerk Job Openings – includes Remote and Possible In-Office work options

Summer 2021 Law Clerk Position- Remote and Possible In-Office work options

FVAP is seeking 1-3 part-time law clerks to join our small but exceptional and dynamic team in our Oakland, California office for Summer 2021.  Please note that due to COVID-19 we are currently working remotely.  At this point we are scheduled to work remotely through March 2021.  We do not know now what the circumstances will be in the summer so we are accepting applications for summer clerks who could only work remotely in addition to applications for clerks who could work remotely and eventually come into the office if possible.  We value diverse experiences and backgrounds.  FVAP’s clientele is extremely diverse, and we serve individuals and advocates throughout the state, including rural, suburban, and urban populations.  The ideal candidate will bring skills and experiences enabling the candidate to serve these diverse populations adeptly in the context of domestic violence and appellate litigation.

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FVAP joins legal services community to work with CA Dept. of Real Estate to publish DV-informed guide on tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities

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In collaboration with other legal services providers and the California Department of Real Estate, we had the opportunity to contribute to the newly released guide on residential tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities. Our work focused on including the legal rights and responsibilities of survivors and landlords as they relate to survivors obtaining and maintaining safe housing.

Unfortunately, survivors of domestic violence face discrimination by landlords because landlords are not always informed of the special housing rights that survivors have in order to stay safe. We hope that this updated guide will curb the discrimination we have been seeing.