Family Violence Appellate Project

Giving survivors a second chance at justice

Giving survivors a second chance at justice Donate




En Español
用中文（表達
In English

FVAP

Law Clerk Job Openings – Spring 2022 – Filled

by

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.

Read More

Legal Victory in Washington Helps Survivors’ Kids Who Have Witnessed Abuse and Might Testify

by

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.

Zyreena Choudhry

by

Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

Zyreena is a staff attorney at the FVAP Washington office. She previously worked as a fellow, heavily assisting with FVAP’s expansion to Washington. Zyreena attended Seattle University School of Law where she was the Vice President of the Middle Eastern South Asian Law Student Association, Events Coordinator for the International Law Society, and Social Chair for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board. Originally from Southern California, Zyreena moved to Washington for her undergraduate at the University of Washington where she found her passion for helping families navigate the legal system. She worked at the International Rescue Committee providing guidance on family immigration related matters for refugees. During law school, she continued to work in family immigration at a boutique law firm and start-up company. In her final year, she was a student attorney at the Gender Violence Immigration Clinic, working with survivors of domestic violence to obtain VAWA protection. Here, she gained a background in trauma-informed lawyering and community lawyering.

Zyreena studied abroad and worked in South Korea as an English and Debate instructor. She can speak conversational Korean and is an avid fan of Korean dramas. In her free time, she likes to explore new food spots, hike, and watch movies.

October 2023

FVAP is pleased to share that Zyreena Choudhry, Staff Attorney in Washington,  has been appointed to serve on the Domestic and Sexual Violence Committee of the Gender and Justice Commission. The committee oversees the Commission’s work on the court system response to gender based violence. Learn more about the commission’s role here.

FVAP in Court Today: Other Side Challenging Order Dismissing Lawsuit Against Survivor

by

lady justiceFVAP is representing a survivor where the other side is challenging an order dismissing his lawsuit against the survivor. The other side filed a lawsuit against the survivor for defamation and other alleged civil wrongs after she reported her assault to the police. The trial court correctly dismissed the lawsuit since California has a law that protects survivors from being sued because they report the assault to the police.

This case is important to uphold a survivor’s right to make a good-faith report to the police without fear of retaliation. Our co-counsel at Jones Day will be arguing on our client’s behalf today.

 

FVAP in Court: Helping Survivor Reunite with Her Child After 6 Years

by

Today we are representing a survivor who we believe was pressured into allowing temporary guardianship for her baby. Six years later she still has not been reunited with her child. After years of delays the trial court gave permanent guardianship to the child’s grandparents and would not give an explanation for this decision.

FVAP believes the trial court used the wrong criteria and stale evidence to make its order and should have explained decision.

FVAP asked state and national organizations to write a friend-of-the-court (amicus) brief on the impact of trauma, the ability of survivors to heal, and the failure of courts to take these issues into account appropriately when making their decisions. Our co-counsel at Mayer Brown will be arguing on our client’s behalf at approximately 4pm this afternoon.

Court Agrees: Maintain Survivor’s Restraining Order

by

On August 5, the Court of Appeal issued its opinion in our case of Ashby v. Ashby, where we represented a survivor of domestic violence in defending against her abuser appealing the five-year renewal of her restraining order. In the opinion, the Court of Appeal agreed with us that our client’s five-year restraining order renewal should stay in place.

Read the court’s opinion here.