A Stronger Voice for Justice
Despite the reforms of recent decades, battered women and children continue to face unfair treatment and troubling results in court. Appeals can overturn unjust trial court outcomes – but they require special expertise and are often prohibitively expensive.
We empower victims and their advocates by providing expert representation for appeals; educating pro bono counsel through in-depth consultation and mentoring; training lawyers, judges, and others on cutting-edge issues; and spearheading the DV community's advocacy in Supreme Court cases.
To learn more about DV LEAP's programs, click here. To get involved or to make a tax-deductible contribution, follow this link.
DV LEAP receives 2009 Washington Area Women's Foundation Leadership Award!
On March 9th, the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment & Appeals Project (DV LEAP) was selected to receive a 2009 Leadership Award by the prominent Washington Area Women’s Foundation (Foundation) for DV LEAP’s outstanding legal work on behalf of victims of domestic violence in the Washington D.C.-area. DV LEAP is the only organization in D.C. or the nation specializing in expert appellate legal representation to domestic violence victims, who would otherwise be unable to seek justice in appellate courts. “We could not be more pleased to receive this award,” said DV LEAP’s Executive Director Joan Meier, “We greatly admire the Washington Area Women’s Foundation and are thrilled to be part of their impressive community.” To read the full press release, click here.
DV LEAP's Executive Director publishes important article about "PAS."
To read the article, click here.
DV LEAP and other domestic violence organizations issue joint press release about "PAS."
To read, click here.
DV LEAP's Executive Director Interviewed for 20/20 Program on Parental Alienation.
To read or view this interview, click on this link: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=5832850&page=1
DV LEAP's Executive Director Writes an Op-Ed about recent troubling Connecticut Supreme Court decision in a malicious prosecution case.
To read the op-ed, click on this link: http://ctlawtribune.com/getarticle.aspx?id=31168
Breaking the Silence
The PBS' documentary, Breaking the Silence: Children's Stories, sought the advice of DV LEAP founder, Joan Meier. The film chronicles the impact of domestic violence on children and the recurring failings of family courts across the country to protect them from their abusers. Click here to view a trailer for the film.