This week, Legal Aid’s Trisha Monroe, a Supervising Attorney in the Domestic Violence/Family Law Unit, will be honored by DC SAFE with the COVID-19 Hero Award, recognizing her “outstanding partnership, flexibility, and commitment to survivors during the pandemic.”

“I am humbled by this award, especially coming from our partners at DC SAFE, which does tremendous work on behalf of domestic violence survivors in DC,” Trisha said.

Since the start of the pandemic, Legal Aid’s Domestic Violence/Family Law Unit has responded to the increased needs of survivors in DC in a variety of ways, including by launching the Petition Assistance Project, which has helped hundreds of survivors (including 22 in a single day) file for Civil Protection Orders electronically.

“Trisha inspires because she leads by example,” said Charlie Whitman-Barr, a Staff Attorney in the Domestic Violence/Family Law Unit. “She works tirelessly for survivors, in the courtroom and out, to ensure meaningful access to justice.”

Trisha joined Legal Aid in 2006. Her policy and court reform work, as well as her vast case load over the years, has aided thousands of survivors of domestic violence. Her efforts helped to greatly expand Legal Aid’s Domestic Violence/Family practice, which now serves five times as many clients annually as when she started. She was honored by the Washington Council of Lawyers with its Legal Services Award in 2019 and by the Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association with its Rising Star Award in 2012.

“You will not find a more passionate or effective advocate for domestic violence survivors than Trisha,” said Eric Angel, Executive Director of Legal Aid.

DC SAFE is a 24/7 crisis intervention agency for domestic violence in DC and has been a close partner of Legal Aid’s in our domestic violence work for many years. Their annual gala is typically held in October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to honor community partners. Tickets for the event, which will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm, are available here.