The DC Volunteer Lawyers Project (DCVLP) supports and trains volunteer attorneys to represent domestic violence survivors and at-risk children in DC Superior Court. DCVLP offers to all volunteers: mentorship by an experienced supervising attorney, who reviews all written work and accompanies the volunteer to court; comprehensive training programs, live and online; access to an extensive resource library, including sample pleadings; administrative support, malpractice insurance, and more.

This training will prepare attorneys to serve as court-appointed guardians ad litem (GALs) for children in disputed custody cases that involve serious risk factors, such as parental drug abuse or DV in the home. This training will cover the role of a GAL; custody law and practice; DV and child abuse/neglect; best practices for investigation, including interviewing children and parents; ethical issues in representing child clients; and identifying social services.

To RSVP, or with questions, please email Emilia Plater-Zyberk at eplaterzyberk@dcvlp.org.