Making the law work for survivors.

domestic violence legal empowerment & appeals project (DV LEAP), a project of volare

WHAT WE DO

Your justice. Your way.

DV LEAP is a national leader in appellate advocacy on behalf of survivors. In partnership with our national network of pro bono law firms, we represent survivors in appeals at the state and federal level including the Supreme Court. Our appellate work holds trials courts accountable to the fairness embodied in the law.

APPEALS

We multiply our impact by providing training and in-depth consultation to lawyers, judges, mental health professionals, litigants, and by sharing resources with key stakeholders.

CONSULTATION & TRAINING

We partner with advocacy organizations at the local and national level to improve policy and laws. For example, DV LEAP co-led the policy initiative that resulted in H. Res. Con. 72, which makes child safety the first priority of custody and visitation adjudications.

POLICY

WHY WE EXIST

The dynamics and root causes of family violence are complex, and the existing law often does not provide adequate protections and safety for survivors.

From a lack of legal representation for survivors, to biases driven by myths and stereotypes about survivors and a lack of sufficient expertise about adult and child abuse, there are many reasons for why the law is failing survivors. DV LEAP uses appeals, training and consultations, and policy advocacy to change that.

what you need to know

Apply for Help

We provide legal representation in appeals and assistance with amicus briefs only in appeals of final orders.

If you have a court case (trial-level or appeals-level), you need to learn whether you have any upcoming deadlines. Submitting paperwork by the due date is your responsibility. If you plan to file an appeal, one of the first things you need to figure out is the due date for your Notice of Appeal. Do not miss a deadline because you are waiting to hear from us.

All of your information will be kept confidential. After you submit your application, DV LEAP will follow up by email about whether we can provide further assistance. While we are reviewing your case, DV LEAP is not your lawyer and cannot give you advice about what to do in your case. Until and unless the DV LEAP agrees to represent you, we cannot help you fill out forms, file paperwork to appeal your case, or follow any deadlines in your case.