The Domestic Violence Representation Project (DVRP) at LSNJ has coordinated its own pro bono project since 1997. As supervisor of the DVRP, I have become convinced that pro bono attorneys are essential to our effort to help those without financial means to achieve meaningful participation in our legal system and find a measure of justice.

LSNJ's DVRP team includes Michele Olvera, Lillian Melendez, Monica Gural, Anisa Rahim, Margaret Cargioli, and Sandra Gutierrez.

Our domestic violence project has four attorneys ready to represent victims of domestic violence in any county in New Jersey. However, on any given day we are likely to be outnumbered by the victims seeking our representation. Without legal representation, these victims might not be granted a restraining order by the court. Thus, the person from whom they sought protection, who committed a crime against them, may come back home to live with them. Further consequence may ensue if they are unable to keep the violence away from their children who also live in the home. It is critical that these victims be able to properly present their case to the court, a daunting task for anyone facing their abuser without an attorney.

Pro Bono Attorneys Indispensable

Many of the pro bono attorneys on the DVRP’s list never practiced family law or represented anyone in a domestic violence matter before enlisting to represent a victim of domestic violence from our project. For that reason, we provide an annual training on representing domestic violence victims for those attorneys hardy enough to take on these sometimes heart-wrenching cases. The attorneys who participate in this training become indispensable to our project. In addition to the training, we also support our pro bono attorneys by giving them sample subpoenas for police officers or other witnesses. Often, the DVRP takes care of serving the subpoena for the pro bono attorney. If the attorney calls seeking additional help, we can provide them with sample direct examinations, cross examinations, and closing arguments. We are also happy to answer any legal questions and even conduct research, if necessary, to make sure that the attorney is fully prepared for all the legal issues that may arise in his or her case.

The pro bono attorneys who work with our project assist victims of domestic violence in jeopardy of losing their homes, their means to feed and clothe themselves and their children, and potentially even the custody of their children. The representation they provide creates justice, and it’s the kind of representation my project cannot do without. I am privileged as a Legal Services attorney to be part of that pursuit for justice every day—but I know that we in Legal Services cannot do it alone.

Michele Olvera—Senior Attorney
Legal Services of New Jersey

This article appeared in the Fall 2007 edition of For the Public Good.