Washington Lawyer - September/October 2024 - 47

THE PRO BONO EFFECT
ney for the Pro Bono Center. " This semester,
we had two of their law students assigned to
FLAN. Students conducted intakes with the
clients, sat in on the legal consultations, and
helped prepare pro se pleadings for the clients.
There's a lot of variety regarding what they can
help with. "
Student participation is helpful because, in
many instances, individuals just need help figuring
out where to go and how to navigate the
process. " For example, there is a domestic violence
intake center on the fourth floor of the
court. If a client comes to us . . . we can walk
them up there to assist with filing and safety
planning. That really goes a long way because
there are domestic violence attorneys and
advocates staffing that center, " Scoular says.
" Sometimes people are just in the wrong spot,
need someone to hear them, need a little extra
support, or are scared, so it helps to have
someone in the courthouse who can answer
their questions and get them assistance. "
One of those student volunteers was Georgetown
Law rising 3L Julia Byrne. Volunteering for
FLAN, Byrne says, gave her an opportunity to
develop and expand upon core lawyering skills,
while also providing an important service to
the community. " While I had previously worked
in legal services on housing and public benefits
issues and observed proceedings related to
those issues, I saw that pro se litigants with
family law cases have unique challenges because
of the deeply personal and emotional
nature of their issues, " Byrne says.
BEAUTIFUL ENDINGS
Many clients who reach out to FLAN are looking
for brief advice and brief services, yet there
are also those with more complex matters requiring
limited scope services and/or full representation
by FLAN attorneys. Last December,
Scoular represented a father who lost contact
with his daughter after his relationship with the
child's mother had broken down. The client initially
received brief services on how to proceed,
returning to FLAN for limited and full representation
when he filed for custody, resulting in a
favorable outcome.
" This father went from five months without
seeing his tender-aged daughter to reuniting at
the courthouse. It was surreal to see them reunite.
She ran into his arms. It was really sweet.
Now, the parents are communicating, and they
have a permanent custody order they can use
until their child is 18, " says Scoular.
Scoular says the case illustrates the variety of
services available through FLAN. " The father
originally came in for legal advice, then he got
brief services, then he got the full representation, "
she says. " He came back to us when he
needed more help. It shows that he had confidence
in our program, that he trusted us, that
he liked the level of service he received in the
past. " Indeed, staff have seen an increase in return
clients.
Such was the case of a mother who frantically
called Nanini for help. " It was an emotionally
charged case with complex legal and abuse issues.
The litigant was not a primary English
speaker, and she was confused by the entire
court process, " Nanini says. " Not only did the
woman need assistance navigating the legal
complexities and the court system, but she also
needed someone by her side to walk into the
court with her, speak on her behalf, and make
her feel safe. " Ultimately, the client obtained
sole custody, and she and her family are safe.
An email from the client following the matter's
resolution illustrates the anxiety experienced
by those impacted by family court matters and
the relief that can come after receiving help.
Originally written in Spanish, the client wrote,
" Thank you, Miss Lawyer Nanini. I thank you for
everything you do for my son for us. I don't
know what I would have done if you didn't
help me, thank you. "
In another case, Nanini provided legal advice
to a father who was so frustrated because he
could not get a lawyer. Without counsel, the father's
custody was stripped away, and the pandemic
exacerbated the issues due to lack of options
for visitation. " He is such a loving father,
and his children clearly adore him, " Nanini says.
Nanini, over several years, assisted at different
levels of the case and ultimately provided full
representation when it progressed to a trial. " It
is so amazing for him to finally have his children
back in their childhood home for his custodial
time, bonding as a family. I love all the pictures
and updates he sends me, " Nanini says.
The father's case demonstrates that FLAN attorneys
can help at different stages and step into
different levels of service as needed. " Seeing
a family reach their goals, seeing the pure joy,
seeing the weight off someone's shoulders, the
fear gone - it is beautiful, " Nanini adds.
Reach D.C. Bar staff writer Jeremy Conrad at
jconrad@dcbar.org.
Attorneys can provide life-changing pro
bono representation to clients in family
law matters. Contact Adrian Gottshall at
agottshall@dcbar.org, Sylvia Soltis at
ssoltis@legalaiddc.org, or Josette Barsano
at jbarsano@dcaffordablelaw.org.
Pro Bono Center man aging attorney Jenadee Nanini explains the impact of FLAN.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 * WASHINGTON LAWYER 47
Jati Lindsay
Washington Lawyer - September/October 2024

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