Lifeline to Justice
In 2023, FVAP expanded its core appellate advocacy model to create the Lifeline to Justice Initiative, focused on increasing the accessibility of appellate-level writ review for survivors in California.
A writ petition is an emergency request for the appellate court to intervene in a case and command the trial court to either do something or stop doing something that’s legally erroneous and harmful.
Writs for survivors are vital because writs are designed for limited extraordinary circumstances where a survivor has no other way to challenge a wrongful trial court order, something that happens frequently and can put a survivor at risk of irreparable harm. However, because writs are an emergency remedy, the standard for a successful writ is discretionary, and the appellate court can deny relief without any explanation. Writs also operate on an expedited timeline and are often inaccessible to survivors because they are complicated to pursue.
Lifeline to Justice breaks down these barriers, building on FVAP’s existing models of direct representation, community collaboration and education, and free resources. The initiative empowers survivors to pursue writ petitions confidently and provides access across California.
Lifeline to Justice is made possible through the generous support of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP — a firm whose commitment to justice matches its national reputation for excellence. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is a “multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. By bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy, Manatt positions itself to provide a unique and compelling value proposition.” That same commitment now extends to survivors of abuse, ensuring they have a real path to appellate justice. Manatt’s partnership reflects a growing standard among leading firms: that access to justice is not a side project, but a core measure of legal excellence. We are proud to have Manatt standing alongside FVAP in this work, and we invite other firms who share this vision of what the legal profession can be to join them.
Special thanks to Equal Justice Works, Greenberg Traurig, LLP and The Clorox Company Foundation for providing the initial fellowship to start this ongoing initiative.
