Family Violence Appellate Project

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FVAP

Pride 2022

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FVAP Celebrates Pride Month

June is Pride month, a time to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

The origins of Pride date back to June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, NY, which resulted in a series of riots. Numerous rights groups were formed, and the community demanded the establishment of safe spaces where LBGTQIA2S+ people could live openly without fear of retribution. Thirty years after the Stonewall Riots, President Bill Clinton officially recognized Pride Month in 1999; this month symbolizes liberation and is publicly honored in many countries worldwide.

FVAP celebrates the progress the LGBTQIA2S+ movement has made over the years, from the resistance of oppression during the Stonewall Riots to the passing of legislation supporting LGBTQIA2S+ civil rights. Still, there is much work to be done. Despite advances in equality since that time, threats to the LGBTQIA2S+ community abound: so far this year, nearly 240 anti-LGBTQIA2S+ bills have been filed, primarily targeting trans people and, in particular, trans youth. While 2021 marked the highest number of anti-trans legislation in the history of the US, 2022 is slated to break that record.  Pride Month reminds us that written in history are the many accomplishments made by the LQBTQIA2S+ community, from advocacy to the passing of unprecedented civil rights legislation. FVAP joins those committed to human rights in honoring this month as an opportunity for reflection, celebration and renewed commitment to continue progressing forward in the spirit of advocacy and allyship to combat anti-LGBTQIA2S+ legislation.

FVAP Honors Juneteenth

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FVAP Honors Juneteenth

Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in America as it was historically known. This holiday is considered to be the longest running African-American holiday and has been called America’s second Independence Day. While we honor this milestone in history, FVAP recognizes that many systems and institutions still exist that enslave and jeopardize human freedoms.

FVAP recognizes and observes Juneteenth as part of our year-round commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We celebrate the victories of the past as we recognize the challenges of the present; we commit to a better, more equitable future for all, especially Black Americans.

In 2021, twenty-five years after the first bill to recognize Juneteenth was introduced, President Joe Biden signed into law the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act”. FVAP staff honored this historic day by reflecting on its meaning and connection to our work, clients, community and staff. 

June 19th is recognized as “Juneteenth”, a commemoration signifying the end of enslavement for African descendants of the transatlantic slave trade. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was the public pronouncement of the end of slavery. It wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 – more than two years later –  that the Proclamation was announced to the enslaved people living in Galveston, Texas. 

Juneteenth is  a day of celebration, a celebration of independence like the Fourth of July. This day of pride signifies liberation and serves as a starting point for honoring the many contributions African Americans have made toward the industrialization of the United States. It is also a time for reflection and to recommit to daily actions to dismantle the institutional racism that still exists in our society.

RFP Web Designer/Developer

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Summary of Request:

Family Violence Appellate Project (“FVAP”) seeks to transform its website into a comprehensive, user-friendly Legal Resource Library (“Project”) for attorneys, advocates, and survivors of domestic violence and gender-based abuse. The database will consist of model briefs, motions and pleading templates, toolkits and tip sheets, legal resources, social science research, and trainings developed by FVAP. FVAP seeks proposals from vendors to build and develop this Legal Resource Library on FVAP’s existing WordPress website platform.

RFP Web Developer – FINAL 5.25.22

Request for Proposal: Web Designer/Developer for Legal Resource Library

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Summary of Request

Family Violence Appellate Project (“FVAP”) seeks to transform its website into a comprehensive, user-friendly Legal Resource Library (“Project”) for attorneys, advocates, and survivors of domestic violence and gender-based abuse. The database will consist of model briefs, motions and pleading templates, toolkits and tip sheets, legal resources, social science research, and trainings developed by FVAP. FVAP seeks proposals from vendors to build and develop this Legal Resource Library on FVAP’s existing WordPress website platform.

Organizational Introduction:

FVAP is a California and Washington state non-profit legal organization whose mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse by helping them obtain effective appellate representation. FVAP provides legal assistance to survivors of abuse at the appellate level through direct representation, collaborating with pro bono attorneys, advocating for survivors on important legal issues, and offering training and legal support for legal services providers and domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking counselors. FVAP is the California State Bar-funded Support Center with expertise in domestic violence law, family law, and appellate procedure.

By centering our work on the most marginalized survivors, including rural, immigrant, Native American, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ communities, FVAP works to transform the power of the civil legal system to support all survivors of abuse. A significant part of this work is ensuring survivors, especially those experiencing multiple oppressions, and the people who support them, have access to the legal information, resources and remedies they need to achieve justice.

History of FVAP’s website and Legal Resource Library:

FVAP was founded in 2012, and launched its website (www.fvaplaw.org) that year.  The Legal Resource Library was launched in approximately 2016.  FVAP’s website and Legal Resource Library is hosted on WordPress.

In 2021, the California Access to Justice Commission (“CA ATJ”) announced an RFP for the Legal Aid Infrastructure & Innovation Grants. FVAP applied to upgrade its Legal Resource Library, and was selected as a grantee in early 2022. This project is being funded by the CA ATJ grant.

Project Overview and Purpose:

The Need:
FVAP relies extensively on thousands of documents (including social science and law review articles, legal briefs, case law,  research memos, referral resources and sample motions) both for impact appellate litigation and to provide technical assistance and written resources to attorneys, advocates, and self-represented litigants. Currently, FVAP has numerous independent systems for storing these resources, creating significant barriers to accessing and maintaining the resources. Additionally, only a small portion of these legal resource documents are available to attorneys, advocates, and self-represented litigants on FVAP’s website. FVAP has not had the capacity to further develop and maintain a comprehensive Legal Resource Library for the public. As an example, FVAP has over 7,000 files containing social science and legal research information that is not currently available on its website. Furthermore, survey responses have shown that individuals searching FVAP’s website for resources find it “cumbersome” and difficult to locate materials. Access to these resources is critical for attorneys, advocates, and self-represented litigants.

Goals and Outcomes:
An easy-to-use, highly effective, up-to-date resource library will significantly increase access to self-help materials, advocate resources, sample briefs and other legal resources, and social science and law review articles targeted to the appropriate audience. The external outcomes will be: 

  1. Self-represented DV survivors in California and Washington will have better access to legal information and resources to help them with their cases (estimated 200,000+ people/year)
  2. DV advocates in California and Washington will have better access to legal information and resources to help their survivor clients
  3. Legal aid attorneys in California and Washington will have better access to sample briefs, research, and social science to help survivors in trial court
  4. Legal aid attorneys nationwide will have better access to DV social science research and materials, as well as sample amicus briefs, to help survivors in trial or appellate courts
This technology-based infrastructure project will make a long-term impact on FVAP’s capacity to organize, maintain, and locate its legal resources because it will centralize and store all materials in the Legal Resource Library. This new streamlined system will significantly increase access to these important materials, while simultaneously decreasing FVAP attorney time needed to maintain these materials. This will also increase FVAP attorney effectiveness in responding to technical assistance requests and strengthen responses to legal aid and pro bono attorneys.
 
Usage of the Legal Resource Library will be tracked, and contemporaneous surveys will demonstrate the effectiveness of the interface tool and the resources provided. By quickly sending automated text- or email-based surveys to those who access materials, FVAP will have timely feedback on how to make materials more helpful and to determine what additional materials are needed.
View Full RFP Here

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Development and Events Manager Job Opening

FVAP is seeking a development and events professional to join our dynamic team for a significant fundraising role in support of social justice.  The ideal candidate will bring unique skills and experiences that help to successfully plan and produce FVAP’s large annual fundraising event (Battle of the Bands) for approximately 500 people.  You will also play a significant role in donor stewardship, including communications and database maintenance.  You will support FVAP’s grant reporting, and help to lead website management and the e-newsletter communications.  You will join a three-person development team (including the Executive Director) that works collaboratively together to support the funding of a $2 million organization.  We value diverse experiences and backgrounds.  The immediate supervisor is the Executive Director.

About FVAP:  Family Violence Appellate Project is the only organization in California dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence with a second chance at justice by appealing court decisions on their behalf, for free.  We are a 10-year old nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of survivors and their children.  Our attorneys appeal and overturn court decisions that put survivors and/or their children at risk of ongoing abuse.  By working at the appellate court level, our cases set legal precedent that helps thousands of survivors and kids.  FVAP’s clientele is very diverse, and we serve individuals and advocates throughout the state, including rural, suburban, and urban populations.

In March 2021, we expanded our impactful social justice model to a second state: Washington State.  If you are interested in being part of an exciting resource for domestic violence survivors and advocates in California and Washington states, this is the place for you!  Learn more at fvaplaw.org.

Skills & Abilities:  The ideal candidate is a development strategist capable of leading FVAP’s annual fundraising event, donor stewardship, external communications, and other development areas to support our current program work, and grow our funding to support the high demand for our legal programs.  You are a collaborative, creative, and detail-oriented person who can wear many different hats.  You love event planning.  You enjoy showing donors how much their gifts are appreciated and have creative ideas of how to show gratitude.  You have a passion for communicating to a variety of audiences and excel at making complex legal information accessible and compelling.  You have a strong drive to take on new challenges and perform at your best in dynamic situations.  You can manage multiple short-term and long-term deadlines at once.  You have a knack for organization and efficiency.  You are filled with ideas and are eager to put them into action.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  Duties include the following (other duties may be assigned):

  • Events (30%):
    • Plan, produce, and manage large annual fundraising event (Battle of the Bands; in person and/or virtual) for approximately 500 people:
      • Recruit event sponsors and lead all event-related fundraising efforts;
      • Coordinate with outside contractors, the venue, and volunteers to produce a successful event;
      • Manage all logistical elements of the event, including PR, ticket sales, organizational details, and programming; and,
      • Be responsible for staffing and running the event, including recruiting, training, and managing team of 40+ volunteers.
    • Bring fresh fundraising and supporter engagement ideas to the table, including for additional events throughout the year.
  • Donor Stewardship (30%):
    • Lead and manage donor stewardship, including thank you letters and other expressions of gratitude;
    • Maintain donor data in database (Bloomerang); and,
    • Analyze donor data and trends to steward donors.
  • Government Grants (10%):
    • Work as part of grants team to manage reporting process and team for one or more of FVAP’s government grants;
    • Develop a process to ensure grant requirements are met; and,
    • Review and update annual handbooks and instructions for information and efficiency
  • Communications (15%):
    • Manage WordPress website;
    • Monitor and report on website analytics, and revise communications and outreach plans accordingly; and,
    • Prepare, coordinate and publish e-newsletter.
  • Support other development team activities (15%), including:
    • Contribute to overall fundraising strategy to raise goal of $2 million/year;
    • Support the Rise and Soar fundraising campaign as needed;
    • Assist with foundation grants as needed;
    • Assist with publicity efforts and media relations as needed; and,
    • Support Board of Directors as needed.
  • Comply with all agency policies and procedures, including all health and vaccination policies including Covid-19 vaccination requirements.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

Performance of duties and tasks uses standard office equipment, including telephone equipment and computers.  Work is performed inside with exposure to heating and air-conditioning.  Driving or other travel may be required.  Currently, all work is being performed from home unless you want to work in the office following COVID-19 guidelines.  When deemed safe per public health guidelines, we will move to a hybrid work model, with a probable 2 days in the office and 3 days working from home, with the option to work entirely in the office if preferred.

Required Qualifications

  • Two (2) years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or similar business development experience;
  • Experience planning events in a professional or other capacity;
  • Experience with databases, preferably Bloomerang or other donor-relations database;
  • Proficiency with standard office computer programs;
  • Commitment to working in an environment that prioritizes anti-racism, equity, and inclusivity and is actively working to implement and strengthen these priorities;
  • Commitment to working on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and their children, and other forms of gender-based violence;
  • Ability to prioritize multiple projects effectively, with attention to detail; and,
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a small, fast-paced development team.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Diversity of personal and professional experience;
  • Knowledge of, or experience in, legal aid or other legal environments;
  • An understanding of or experience working in domestic violence and/or gender-based violence fields;
  • Familiarity with nonprofit funding sources and research avenues;
  • Past experience with government grants, preferably California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES);
  • Experience managing websites using WordPress; and,
  • Verbal and written communication skills.

Classification:  The position is full-time, exempt, and at-will.

Compensation / Salary Range:  Starting salary depends on relevant experience and will be commensurate with comparable nonprofit development positions in Northern California.  The salary range is expected to be between $83,250-$90,000 /year.  FVAP offers a generous benefits package, including subsidized health, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match after 1 year; FSA plan for commuting, parking, health, and dependent care expenses; Long-term disability; Employee Assistance Plan and travel assistance; 3 weeks paid time off/year, with longevity increases; 13 paid holidays/year; 40 hours paid sick leave, plus additional accrued sick leave; and paid continuing education.

Location:  FVAP’s office is located in Oakland, California, convenient to multiple bus lines and BART.  Our address is: Family Violence Appellate Project, 449 15th St., Suite 104, Oakland, CA 94612.

To Apply:  Please email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Monica LaBoskey at staff@fvaplaw.org.

Your cover letter should speak to: 1) why you are interested in working at FVAP; 2) how your background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our work and perform the required and any preferred qualifications; and, 3) how your background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to diversity and cultural responsiveness amongst our staff.  Feel free to think broadly about your response to these questions, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences.

Application deadline:  Review of applications will begin May 2, 2022 and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

FVAP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and providing culturally responsive services.  Individuals of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, ages, sexes, sexual orientations, and gender identities, as well as disabled persons, survivors of domestic violence, candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups, multilingual and multicultural candidates, and those who are the first in their family to complete college or graduate school, are encouraged to apply.

 

Thank you for your interest in FVAP!

https://fvaplaw.org/7553/

Victory for Survivors in Custody Cases with DV

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In this case, our client, Mother, got a domestic violence restraining order against Father after he physically abused her and refused to return their young son to her, requiring law enforcement to get involved.  The family court gave Mother sole legal and physical custody, but left in place a visitation schedule giving Father three days a week and Mother four.  Since this basically gave Father joint custody of the child for about 43% of the time, the family court was first supposed to see if Father had overcome the presumption against granting him custody, under Family Code section 3044, by analyzing the law’s seven factors in writing or on the record.  Since the family court did not do that, the appellate court reversed the visitation order, and sent the case back to the family court to follow the law.  In addition, the appellate court said the family court didn’t follow the law by refusing to give a “statement of decision,” which Mother had requested at trial, under Family Code section 3022.3.  This is the first published opinion under Family Code section 3022.3.

Read the opinion.