SCFJC seeking pro bono attorneys to help with domestic abuse cases

Amanda Vachon, Director, Strafford County Family Justice Center, located at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center. (Rochester Voice file photo)

ROCHESTER - The Strafford County Family Justice Center is looking to local attorneys to assist an increasing number of victims and survivors in need of advice, guidance, and representation in domestic abuse cases.

"Civil legal representation is the number one requested service at the Family Justice Center," said Amanda Vachon, Director, Strafford County Family Justice Center. "Our partner agencies, 603 Legal Aid and New Hampshire Legal Assistance say that just 8-10 hours of an attorney's time per case can make a difference for victims and/or survivors of domestic violence and stalking."

According to Vachon, the Domestic Violence Emergency or DOVE project is working to train attorneys that are willing to volunteer their time.

Crisis center advocates work closely with the DOVE Project and their panel of local volunteer attorneys to connect survivors with representation at their final protective order hearings. This representation is provided at no cost to the survivor if found eligible for the service.

Today from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the DOVE Project is hosting a training (280 General Minutes, 60 Ethics Minutes) to prepare attorneys to represent survivors at these hearings and learn about what the 603 Legal Aid's Pro Bono Programs can offer.

The training will be held at NHBA Bar Association CLE Center, in Concord, NH.