Family Violence Appellate Project

Giving survivors a second chance at justice

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FVAP Newsletters

March 2022

In this issue:

  • Sacramento Shooting is a Tragic Reminder Why Laws Must Change
  • FVAP in Court: Restraining Order Rights
  • Banding Together to End Domestic Violence
  • Housing & Employment Justice Program: New Resources Available
  • Washington Corner: New Team Member Spotlight

February 2022 Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Daily Journal Names FVAP’s Executive Director Top Family Law Lawyer 
  • Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month 
  • FVAP Program & Resource Updates
  • Law Clerks & Volunteer Spotlight
  • Washington Corner: Coercive Control May Soon Be Added to the Legal Definition of Domestic Violence 

January 2022 Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Supreme Court Victory Affirms Survivors’ Right to Sue for Harassment & Assault
  • Legal Victory Clarifies Rights to Renew a Restraining Order
  • Stalking Awareness Month
  • FVAP’s Training on Newest Cases Affecting Survivors
  • Washington Corner: Learning from the Indigenous Survivor Experience

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Media Coverage

Farewell Erin!

 by FVAP

TO OUR WONDERFUL FVAP COMMUNITY

To celebrate and honor Erin Smith’s incredible 11 years as the Co-founder and Executive Director of FVAP (Family Violence Appellate Project) and her upcoming departure from FVAP, we would like to share a sampling of the beautiful messages from the Board members, Staff, and FVAP supporters. If you would like to share your own messages with Erin, you may do so by adding them to the Kudoboard here  or send an email to erin@fvaplaw.org. Erin, we wish you well in your future endeavors. Thank you for everything you have done for the organization and the survivors of family violence; you and your dedication will not be forgotten! Read Full Newsletter Here

Introducing FVAP’s New Executive Director, Deborah Son

 by FVAP
Family Violence Appellate Project’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah Son as the organization’s new Executive Director. She begins the role effective February 6, 2023.Deborah brings over fifteen years of experience in domestic violence advocacy, organizational leadership, and the nonprofit sector. She has co-authored advocacy letters and organized broad-scale grassroots efforts to raise attention for requests to appeal high-profile court decisions as they pertain the health of children, individuals, and families, leading awareness initiatives to leverage communications platforms and digital campaigns to bring light to the necessity of appealing dangerous cases. Additionally, Deborah has served as a nationally-recognized domestic violence trainer, technical assistance provider, and advocate; and has contributed to the design and implementation of dozens of psychosocial programs across the nation that support survivors and their communities.

Daily Journal Names FVAP Executive Director Top Family Law Lawyer

 by FVAP
FVAP, Washington’s Senior Managing Attorney, FVAP’s Executive Director, Erin Smith, was just named a Top Family Law Lawyer of 2022 by the Daily Journal for her many successes in family law. Among them is leading FVAP on the path to change the legal landscape for survivors of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based abuse. Read the profile of Erin in the Daily Journal here (subscription required).

FVAP Article Opposing Coercive Control Bill Published in the Daily Journal

 by FVAP We’re excited to announce “‘Coercive control’ domestic violence bill: well-intentioned, but need to be reworked” written by FVAP’s Legal Director, Nancy K.D. Lemon, and FVAP Staff Attorney, Cory Hernandez, advocating that Senate Bill 1141 not be passed was published in the Daily Journal yesterday. Unfortunately, the Bill introduces new barriers that will make it harder for many survivors to protect themselves. Our hope is that the Bill does not become law unless it is substantially amended to address its current issues.

FVAP Article on Secretly Recorded Evidence Gets Published

 by FVAP

The California Association of Certified Family Law Specialists just published an article written by FVAP Senior Managing Attorney, Shuray Ghorishi, and the Honorable Judge Mark Juhas in their journal! The article, California Penal Code 632: The Dilemma of Secretly Recorded Evidence in Family Law and Abuse Cases, explores the nuances of recorded communications in family court cases, including when a recording can and cannot be introduced into evidence.

 More FVAP Media Coverage