Pro Bono Pros by Kaylin Bowen These three organizations are part of the +Õ>wi`d;i}>-iÀÛViÃ*ÀÛ`iÀÃ+d;-*® >««ÀÛi`LÞÌ i6À}>-Ì>Ìi >À°/ iÀi >ÀiVÕÀÀiÌÞ{È+d;-*À}>â>Ìà VÕ`}Ì iÌ Àiivi>ÌÕÀi` iÀi°č6- iÀ Ài ° Ì >««ÀÛi`+d;-*ÃÌ i�a;Üi>Ì >Þ LivÕ`>ÌÛÃL°À}É`VÃÉ+d;-*ÚÃÌ°«`v° / i*ÀiVÌ for the �d;«ÜiÀiÌ v-ÕÀÛÛÀà T he Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance is Virginia’s leading voice on sexual and intimate partner violence and covers a wide range of services, including advocacy on behalf of survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. The Project for the Empowerment of Survivors (PES) is an initiative of the Action Alliance that is offered through the Statewide Hotline. The PES team provides trauma informed legal services and legal advocacy to callers from Virginia who are experiencing sexual or intimate partner violence, dating violence, human trafficking and hate crimes. All services are free and confidential. Additionally, the Statewide Hotline can direct callers to resources for legal aid, emergency shelter, counseling, crisis prevention and other general information. The PES relies on a strong network of private referral lawyers who are willing to take cases pro or low bono. “This network of attorneys willing to fill the justice gap is absolutely crucial to survivors,” said Caitlin Bradley, the PES attorney at / i` ->>ÀÌ> Ì> č`ÛV>Ìià >Ìià N Allen Liu orthern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland, are home to the seven legal clinics housed in local ministries and run by the Good Samaritan Advocates. The Christian Legal Aid organization serves clients regardless of religious affiliation. They offer legal advice on civil matters with a focus on total wellness and fellowship. The GSA was founded by the Law Firm of Gammon and Grange in 2006 and has grown to provide advice and limited representation to the community clinics at churches, a homeless ministry, and a correctional facility in Northern Virginia and Montgomery County. The volunteers are passionate in their efforts to assist the less fortunate. All the volunteers at GSA are Christians, dedicated to the cause. “The Bible is full of verses calling for service to the needy and working for justice,” said Kenneth Liu, Esq., GSA President. “Lawyers have a unique ability to help pursue justice.” / / i�d;ÛVÌ �c;ÛiÀÃ*À}À> �c; à T Brechlin Warner he Greater Richmond Bar Foundation, in partnership with the City of Richmond, Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) and Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS), is working to reduce the number of evictions in Richmond. The Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) is a pro bono service in the City of Richmond that facilitates the creation of payment plans between landlords and tenants. “The goal for EDP is to have a payment plan ready before the initial court date,” said Sarah Warner, attorney and GRBF board member. “The payment plan covers past rent, allowing tenants to stay in their homes and the landlords to begin receiving their rent payments.” Tenants and landlords interested in the program contact HOME for admission to the program. There are eligibility restrictions in place, which HOME facilitates 26 VIRGINIA LAWYER | OCTOBER 2020 | VOL. 69 | PRO BONO IN 2020 www.vsb.org
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Pro Bono Pros
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