I am a life-long Delawarean and have practiced law for nearly 35 years. My career included ten years as a federal Prosecutor as well as time at the State Department of Justice and at CLASI. I took several years off from practicing law and taught elementary school and worked for a nonprofit that assisted persons with disabilities. Since coming to DVLS as a Staff Attorney in 2004, I have represented victims of domestic violence in various matters in Family Court (Protection From Abuse, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Guardianship, and other ancillary matters). My primary responsibility now is Recruitment Attorney and I oversee management of the Attorney For a Day Program at PFA day. Our office also recruits volunteer attorneys for many other areas as well, including Landlord/Tenant, immigration matters for juveniles, Uncontested Guardianships in Chancery Court, and Wills.
Throughout the year, I and other DVLS staff attorneys as well as experienced volunteer attorneys present free CLE seminars at area law firms and other venues in an effort to recruit more pro bono attorneys. We are very fortunate to have so many generous volunteer attorneys who take time out of busy schedules to help our clients, but the demand for representation always outstrips the available resources.
I encourage anyone who is interested in volunteer work to contact me and discuss your areas of interest. Whether you want to shadow a volunteer attorney at PFA day, attend an upcoming CLE, or take on a case with an experienced mentor/co-counsel, we will be happy to accommodate you and your schedule. Pro bono work benefits everyone involved– it is personally satisfying, allows you to develop professionally, and provides support to some of Delaware’s most vulnerable residents.