DLA Piper named Pro Bono Partner of the Year by Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice

DLA Piper is pleased to announce that the firm has been named Pro Bono Partner of the Year by the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice (LACLJ). DLA Piper received the award on May 24 at LACLJ’s annual gala, Celebrating Survivors.

LACLJ works with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, providing restraining order, immigration and family law services. Since 2020, DLA Piper has worked closely with the organization to provide legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence who are seeking restraining orders (DRVOs) but do not have access to a lawyer. Under LACLJ’s innovative model, trained non-lawyer advocates meet with survivors at shelters, police stations and other places where social services are available, and use bespoke software to help survivors prepare the court documents required to seek a DVRO. Those advocates then reach out to DLA Piper volunteers, who, for several month-long periods throughout the year, provide daily coverage and offer immediate legal review of the DVRO paperwork. This allows the pro se litigants to file stronger DVRO petitions, increasing the likelihood that they will receive the protection that they require. While many survivors are located in Los Angeles, the technology-enabled and remote model allows the project to reach people in rural and under-served counties throughout the state.

“We are honored to help support the mission of LACLJ to secure justice for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through our pro bono work and volunteer efforts,” said Lisa Dewey, DLA Piper’s pro bono partner. “LACLJ’s work has an incredible impact on the lives of its clients, and we are proud to have played a role in providing access to crucial legal assistance to those who need it most. We are particularly grateful to be involved in a project that is a model for using technology, advocates who are not lawyers, and remote lawyers to increase access to justice for vulnerable communities.”