Description:

We work with Partners for Justice Advocates throughout California to provide effective, compassionate, and client-centered family law support to public defender clients. PFJ Advocates are part of the defense team and assist clients with the collateral consequences of the criminal legal system. Most clients will have current criminal cases open. Some clients may be incarcerated or in ICE custody. The family law issue that they need assistance with might be related or unrelated to the criminal case. In California, family law is civil and includes divorce, child custody and support, and domestic violence restraining orders.

Commitment Required of Members:

New members will be required to undergo training with PFJ on how to take client declarations. Members will be involved with taking client declarations or broader research for Family Defense initiatives at PFJ. The time commitment will fluctuate week to week. Some weeks there will be no time required, others there may be 1-4 hours required.

Open Membership Spots: 6

Adv. Degree Student Participation: Permitted

Winter Start: Strong preference for Fall Quarter, but Winter Quarter Starts Are Permitted

Eligible for Meeting NYS Bar Pro Bono Requirement: Likely

Language Ability Preference: None

Project Leaders: Soo Young Yun, Wyndham Ermini, Sahvannah Rodriguez