A Big Benefit in Tough Times

Times are tough for everyone and more and more individuals need
assistance.  And, times are tough for attorneys too.  But most of us
want to help and just can't take on difficult or long-lasting pro bono
cases.  So, here's something that we can all do!

Domestic violence injunction return hearings!  Why?  Because they don't
take a great deal of time and most people are really timid or downright
afraid to stand in a courtroom and tell their story.  These individuals
are also afraid because of the violence in their lives -- imagine it if
you can -- to be afraid of your spouse, your boyfriend or your
girlfriend, or the very worst, to be afraid for your child(ren).  What
can you do?  You can help a client who may never have had anyone stand
up for them before.  This just happened to me -- a woman who cried with
thanks because of just that.  No one had ever helped her before.  She
filed her own injunction and then her landlord tried to evict her.
Again, why?  Because the landlord is a friend of her husband.  Arguably
that was third-party contact -- at least it was intended to frighten the
woman some more.  I wrote a simple letter explaining that to the
landlord and advised the client to file for a violation of the
injunction.  I simply stood up for her and gave her the breathing room
to move on without more threats hanging over her head.  Simple and not
a lot of time and effort.  A huge breakthrough for the woman though.

We're asking for attorneys to help -- and it's not just women, but some
men, who need help with this type of service.   It's a really big
benefit for not so much of our time.  It's a true "hand up" to someone
and not just a "hand out."

Donna J. Lonsberry, Esquire
Staff Attorney