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Volunteer Legal Advocates

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Washington D.C., DC
Volunteer Legal Advocates

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Formerly DCVLP. We believe a life free of violence and abuse is a basic human right. We are !

We provide comprehensive pro bono legal assistance and services for domestic violence survivors, at-risk children, and vulnerable immigrants facing gender-based violence. We provide pro bono legal and suppirt services to domestic violence victims and at-risk children.

10/21/2026

Save the date! Thursday, October 29, is Volunteer Legal Advocates' annual Giving Day: a 24-hour push to expand access to free legal help for survivors of domestic violence, immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, and vulnerable children across DC and Montgomery County, MD.

Your support helps deliver safety, stability, and justice for thousands of survivors and children.

Save the date and spread the word: early gifts count toward our $20,000 goal!

Help of violence by donating at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/volunteer-legal-advocates-2026

10/14/2026

We're pleased to welcome Sharelle Love as our new Maryland Roxana Cannon Arsht Fellow. Sharelle has served as a volunteer attorney with for many years and brings dedication and passion to supporting survivors.

We sat down to learn more about her journey, what she's learned from the survivors she's worked with, and what she's looking forward to in this role.

Get to know Sharelle at https://volunteerlegaladvocates.org/2026/09/meet-maryland-arsht-fellow-sharelle-love/

10/09/2026

Will you be at our CPO training next week?

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our training focuses on one of the most important legal steps survivors can take on their journey toward safety: obtaining a civil protection order.

Join Volunteer Legal Advocates and our hosts at DLA Piper on October 14 to learn how you can help survivors navigate DC’s civil protection order process through pro bono representation. No prior experience representing survivors required.

Every survivor deserves access to justice, regardless of what they can afford. Your legal skills can help make that possible.

📅 Wednesday, October 14 | 9 AM - 2:30 PM
📍 DLA Piper, Washington, DC

Register today: https://volunteerlegaladvocates.org/events/civil-protection-order-all-day-training-2/

10/08/2026

Did you know October 8 is DAF Day?

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are charitable giving accounts that allow you to recommend grants to nonprofits you care about. If you have one, DAF Day is a great time to put those funds to work.

Every DAF grant to Volunteer Legal Advocates (EIN: 26-1089584) helps survivors of domestic violence and vulnerable children access skilled, compassionate legal help at no cost to them. Contact your financial advisor or DAF institution to recommend a grant today!

Visit volunteerlegaladvocates.org/ways-to-give to learn more.

10/07/2026

We were excited to join community partners and advocates from across Montgomery County last night for the MC Family Justice Center Foundation's Make MoCo Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month kickoff.

Our Maryland team (seen here rocking their purple shirts!) enjoyed connecting with community members, learning about local resources, and supporting survivors and children. We’re proud to be part of a community working to make support for survivors more visible and accessible during DVAM and all year long.

10/06/2026

Are we in your inbox?

There’s always something happening at Volunteer Legal Advocates. Our newsletter keeps you connected with pro bono case opportunities, legal clinics, trainings, client stories, advocacy updates, ways to support our work, and more.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month and year-round, we’d love to have you in our corner.

Subscribe today at volunteerlegaladvocates.org/subscribe

10/05/2026

For survivors of domestic violence and stalking, having more time to find safety and access legal support can make a critical difference.

That’s why we’re so pleased to see a new Maryland law extend temporary protective orders from 7 to 14 days and require a final protective order hearing within that timeframe.

As Karen Gunderman, Managing Attorney of our Montgomery County office, shared: “We knew this change would be critical for survivors, and we’re already seeing that. Extending temporary protective orders gives survivors more time to get to safety, connect with legal support, and prepare for a final hearing, without the pressure or fear of a seven-day deadline.”

Volunteer Legal Advocates is grateful to have helped influence this legislation, and to Maryland State Senator Sara Love, the bill’s author and champion, for her tireless commitment to survivors.

10/02/2026

At Volunteer Legal Advocates, we believe everyone deserves to live a life free of violence and abuse. 💜

October marks , and we are taking the opportunity to share a few important reminders to reflect on throughout the month.

You are not alone; resources are available. Learn how VLA can support you at volunteerlegaladvocates.org

09/29/2026

We're hiring in Montgomery County, Maryland!

Want to make a meaningful difference for survivors and children? Join us to help end the cycle of violence through pro bono legal aid.

We're looking for passionate professionals to join our team in two roles:

🔹 Bilingual Client Advocate, Domestic Violence Program (Maryland)

Help survivors navigate the legal system and move toward greater safety and stability. Through trauma-informed support, safety planning, crisis intervention, and connections to resources, you'll help survivors feel heard, supported, and empowered to make decisions about their futures.

🔹 Supervising Attorney, Domestic Violence Program (Maryland)

Lead and mentor a team of attorneys and volunteers providing critical legal representation to survivors. Bring your legal expertise and collaborative leadership to help survivors navigate domestic violence and family law matters and build safer futures.

Interested? Explore both opportunities at volunteerlegaladvocates.org/careers

Please share this post with your networks to help us find the right people for our team!

09/28/2026

Last week, several of our most generous supporters came together for our Amplifying Voices Society Leadership Reception. We are deeply grateful for their belief in and investment in our work, and we were thrilled to offer them an inside look at our Immigration Program.

Many thanks to all who joined us, and to our gracious hosts at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

We'd love to have you at our next Amplifying Voices Society event! Learn more and become a member today at https://volunteerlegaladvocates.org/avs

Address

5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Ste 440
Washington D.C., DC
20015

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

(202) 885-5542

Website

http://www.volunteerlegaladvocates.org/

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Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund
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