Los Angeles Bar Trains Volunteers For Domestic Violence Project

The Los Angeles County Bar Association is planning a training session for volunteer attorneys and law students in its Domestic Violence Project.

Volunteer attorneys attend one evening training session which provides 3 hours of CLE credit.

The training will be held on Wednesday, September 29, from 6:00 to 9:10 p.m. at the Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1055 West 7th Street in Los Angeles. They learn to interview clients and assist in the completion of paperwork for restraining orders. Attorneys volunteer for two three-hour commitments per month for six months, and law students volunteer for six hours per month for six months. No previous experience in this area of the law is necessary.

Last year, LACBA's Domestic Violence Project helped more than 8,000 abused clients. As staggering as that number sounds, LACBA volunteers do make a difference in the community. During the course of a three-hour shift, a single volunteer can help as many as three victims seek protection from their abusers.

Those who become volunteers will gain expertise in the area of family law. Through the commitment of new volunteers working with project veterans, the project can continue to protect victims and their children as well as sexually abused minors and abused elderly persons.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court provides space for the project, parking for volunteers and assistance with volunteer training programs. Most of the project's funding comes from the Los Angeles County Bar Foundation.

To become a volunteer, call member services at (213) 896-6560 or email [email protected].