Representing a client who has experienced trauma

The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health  published an attorney handbook for working with domestic violence survivors who also have mental health concerns.

It really focuses on trauma informed care and making sure the survivor is making her own decisions after assessing all the risks and benefits.  It also includes some thoughts on whether to bring up mental health concerns, how to cross examine the opposing party, and how to utilize experts.  It seems like an excellent resource for an attorney working with a domestic abuse survivor, especially one who also has mental health concerns.

The one frustration I see though is that private attorneys aren't usually willing to provide this type of time commitment to one client and a survivor likely does not have the resources to pay an attorney's hourly rate.  And with cuts in funding to nonprofit law firms, there just aren't enough public interest attorneys to handle these cases.

Funding for non-profits

With the economy and the debt crisis at both the state and national level, non-profits are struggling to make ends meet.  Corporate donors are cutting their donations.  Government grants are dwindling.  Everyone is being forced to make difficult decisions.

To those that can afford to, please donate to your local domestic violence organizations, homeless shelters, and other charities.  We need to take care of those less fortunate than us.

I embark upon a new journey

My last day at Legal Action of Wisconsin was June 30, 2011 and it was a bitter sweet day. I will miss my colleagues greatly. The attorneys and paralegals that I worked with there showed a true dedication to their clients, something I greatly admire in each of them.

On that day as one door closed another opened which will lead me on a new adventure. Soon I will be the legal advocate at Friends of Abused Families in West Bend and the advocates and staff at Friends seem to have an equal dedication to their clients.

With every job change comes new challenges, new experiences, new colleagues, and a new chance to step out of one's comfort zone. I will no longer be the support behind the scenes as I was at Legal Action. I will now be one of the "faces of Friends" interacting with the community, supporting clients as they navigate the challenging legal system, and advocating for victims' needs and rights.

So as I enjoy this month off between jobs, I spend much time pondering where I have been and where I am going. And I anticipate many more sleepless nights as these thoughts occupy my brain.

State budget plan zeros out legal services

Click on the title of this post to read an article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the loss of state funding for legal services in Wisconsin.

WaterStone Bank is giving away $90,000

Click on the link to vote for your favorite non-profit in southeastern WI. You can vote as many times as you want between now and April 30, 2011. The organization with the most votes will get $30,000 and the four runner ups will get $15,000 each from WaterStone Bank in celebration of their 90th anniversary! Thank you WaterStone Bank!

If you don't know who to vote for, here are a couple of my favorite non-profit organizations:

Sojourner Family Peace Center - They provide advocacy and resources for victims of domestic violence. They make referrals to help clients get the legal help they need as well as connect them with counseling and provide group sessions for victims, batterers, and children who have witnessed the violence. They also provide emergency housing for women victims of domestic violence and their children.

The Women's Center, Inc - They provide emergency housing for women victims of domestic violence and their children. They also provide long term housing and many other services to victims of domestic violence in the Waukesha area.