Family Violence Appellate Project

Giving survivors a second chance at justice

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FVAP

Deputy Director Job Opening

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Family Violence Appellate Project is the only organization in California and Washington State 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 and Washington law to prioritize the safety of survivors and their children.  We are also committed to supporting the statewide networks of advocates for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and legal aid service providers.  If you are interested in being part of this exciting social justice movement and resource for survivors and advocates across California and Washington, this is the place for you!  You can learn more at www.fvaplaw.org.

This is an exciting time for FVAP and for this role in particular.  We just expanded to open our second office in Washington earlier in 2021.  Expansion raises new challenges and opportunities to grow, streamline, and integrate processes.  We value diverse experiences and backgrounds.  FVAP’s clientele is extremely diverse, and we serve individuals and advocates throughout both states, including rural, suburban, and urban populations.  The Deputy Director can join our exceptional and dynamic staff in Oakland, California or Bellevue, Washington.  The immediate supervisor is the Executive Director.

 

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Legal Victory: Case Publication on Survivor’s Eviction Defense

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On August 11, the Appellate Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court issued its opinion in our case of Elmassian v. Flores, where we represented a survivor of domestic violence who was evicted from her home for over a decade because of acts of abuse by former intimate partners. In the opinion, the appellate division agreed with us that our client had provided the trial court with correct documentation to show she was a survivor and enough evidence that the landlord’s complaints were based on acts of domestic violence to raise the domestic violence eviction defense, which generally bans landlords from evicting tenants because of act(s) of abuse against a tenant by a person who is not currently a tenant. The appellate division reversed the trial court’s judgment against our client. FVAP co-counseled this case with Basta, Inc. and Jones Day.

FVAP seeks candidate to sponsor for fellowship funding! (Remote/Hybrid Options)

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FVAP is available to sponsor a post-graduate 2022 fellow seeking funding from another source but may be able to supplement secured funding commensurate with local salaries.  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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Law Clerk Job Openings – Summer 2022

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Summer 2022 Law Clerk Position- Possible Remote and In-Office work options

FVAP is seeking 1-3 full-time law clerks to join our small but exceptional and dynamic California team for Summer 2022.  This is a full-time clerkship for 37.5 hours per week and runs for 10 weeks starting at the end of May.  Our California office is located in Oakland, California.  Please note that due to COVID-19 we are currently working remotely.  At this point we do not have a scheduled return.  We do not know now what the circumstances will be in Summer 2022 so we are accepting applications for summer clerks who could work in the office if open, work remotely and eventually come into the office when it opens and those who could only work remotely.  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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Law Clerk Job Openings – Spring 2022 – Filled

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Spring 2022 Law Clerk Position- Possible Remote and In-Office work options

FVAP is seeking 1-2 part-time law clerks to join our small but exceptional and dynamic California team for Spring.  This is a part-time clerkship for a minimum of 16 hours per week.  Our California office is located in Oakland, California.  Please note that due to COVID-19 we are currently working remotely.  At this point we do not have a scheduled return.  We do not know now what the circumstances will be in Spring 2022 so we are accepting applications for spring clerks who could work in the office if open, work remotely and eventually come into the office when it opens and those who could only work remotely.  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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Legal Victory in Washington Helps Survivors’ Kids Who Have Witnessed Abuse and Might Testify

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In partnership with three other gender-based violence and legal aid organizations, FVAP Washington successfully obtained publication in part of a case in which the Court of Appeals ruled that child testimony should not be excluded based on a blanket ban on allowing child witnesses in family law proceedings. Courts must first consider all the circumstances, including whether children have witnessed abuse. The decision also confirms that evidence about domestic violence is relevant, whether or not it is related to the children in the parenting plan trial. A parent’s history of domestic violence, child sexual abuse, and sexual assault that results in pregnancy must be considered. Read the opinion and order to publish in part.