Our attorneys are ready and eager to listen, learn, and brainstorm creative solutions to problems survivors face statewide at The CA Partnership to End Domestic Violence’s annual Shifting the Lens conference today and tomorrow.Read More
Legal Victory! Legal precedent for DVRO renewals in CA: Courts must consider abuse/potential for abuse at shared children’s extracurricular activities
Today the CA Third District Court of Appeal (Sacramento) granted our request for publication of an appellate decision that will help domestic violence survivors and their children statewide. Rybolt v. Riley sets legal precedent on 2 important issues concerning Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs)Read More
Inspiring FVAP client story published by Clearinghouse Community
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!
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
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
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
