Family Law and Domestic Violence

Our domestic violence/family law attorneys represent clients in a wide range of intrafamily matters in the D.C. Superior Court. We represent domestic violence survivors seeking to obtain civil protective orders.. As of 2012, we maintain a presence at both Domestic Violence Intake Centers in D.C. in N.W. at the courthouse (with the support of the D.C. Bar Foundation), and in S.E. at the Anacostia Professional Building (with the support of the District government’s Office of Victims Services ) to increase access to our services and provide critical same-day assistance to clients.

We also represent clients in custody and divorce matters, seeking to achieve just outcomes that improve the lives of families and children in poverty. And we represent clients in child support cases, where we strive to ensure fair and accurate child support orders — support that is vital to a child’s well-being. In 2011, along with Bread for the City, we established an office at the D.C. Superior Court’s Parentage and Support Branch (with the support of the D.C. Bar Foundation) to help custodial and non-custodial parents navigate the daunting child support system.

In 2020, during the pandemic, Legal Aid DC (along with our partners at the D.C. Affordable Law Firm and the D.C. Pro Bono Center) started the Family Law Assistance Network, through which we provide advice and representation in custody, divorce, and child support cases. Our attorneys assist clients through a hotline as well as at an office located in D.C. Superior Court.

In addition to providing direct client representation, we also work on systemic improvements around these issue areas.  Our domestic violence/family law attorneys actively participate in efforts to increase collaboration and improve services for domestic violence survivors, serving on many committees with other advocates in the District. We participate in meetings with other service agencies and stakeholders in the community to address emerging issues and trends, and draft and support legislation on domestic violence/family law issues that would improve our clients' access to justice.