Certified law students represent victims of domestic violence to serve their interests in court and help them gain a better understanding of their legal rights
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Nov. 27, 2012 – For Laura’s House, community partnerships are crucial to the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe place in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse. In Spring 2012, the Laura’s House Legal Department began partnering with the newly launched Family Violence Clinic at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Law to provide pro bono counsel to victims of domestic violence.
Each semester, Clinic Professors Patricia Cyr and Kerri Strunk, both attorneys, supervise and instruct law students who have been certified by the State Bar to represent victims of domestic violence in their restraining order cases. Clients referred by Laura’s House benefit from a full spectrum of legal representation. For example, students conduct client-intake interviews and draft applications, declarations and judicial council forms. For cases that evolve to a hearing, students research relevant case law and codes, draft all necessary documents and prepare fully for the hearing. These activities may include subpoenaing and interviewing witnesses; preparing witnesses; conducting depositions of opposing witnesses; preparing opening arguments and closing arguments; and, witness questioning. Finally, students conduct hearings, which include delivering the opening and closing arguments, admitting exhibits, taking testimony and making the necessary objections.
“We are extremely grateful to the Clinic for the amazing work they do for our clients and particularly for their willingness to accept even the most challenging cases,” said Adam Dodge, a legal advocate for Laura’s House. “Due to the dedication of Professors Cyr and Strunk, the students consistently employ a high level of skill and compassion at each phase of a case, which lifts a tremendous burden off of our clients, who would otherwise have to face their abuser alone in open court.”
The partnership between Laura’s House and the UCI Law School Family Violence Clinic has been an absolute success. In the first two semesters alone, a total of 12 Laura’s House clients have received legal assistance at the clinic.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Laura’s House in providing legal representation for their clients,” said Professor Cyr. “It is a win-win-win situation where victims of domestic violence obtain the legal support and representation they desperately need to navigate our complex legal system, Laura’s House gains access to the additional resources needed to completely represent the legal interests of its clients, and our students gain valuable litigation and case management experience.”
One of the law students who has participated in the Family Violence Clinic each semester, and has represented several Laura’s House clients, is Zeenat Hassan. “Representing victims of domestic violence has been a very rewarding experience, and one that has helped me gain greater insight into the unique challenges that these individuals face within our court system. The process of obtaining a restraining order can be daunting, so it is extremely gratifying not only to litigate these cases, but to also stand beside a victim in the courtroom so they do not have to face their abuser alone.”
In addition, the Laura’s House Legal Department also services clients through intake interviews; safety planning; education on victim’s rights; registration for the State of California’s Safe at Home program; assistance in preparing and filing a domestic violence restraining order; collection of evidence, including the photographing of injuries; court transportation; court accompaniment; court direction; referrals to community resources, emergency shelters and pro bono attorneys; and, hosts a monthly legal clinic in partnership with the Orange County Bar Association.
More information on the Laura’s House Legal Department is available at www.laurashouse.org/legal-services.html.
About Laura’s House
Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided residential shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 families, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
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