National Appellate Program

Our National Appellate Program (formerly Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project (DV LEAP)) makes the law work for survivors of domestic violence by challenging unjust trial outcomes; advancing legal protections through expert pro bono advocacy; training lawyers, advocates, and judges on best practices; and spearheading domestic violence litigation in the Supreme Court.

There are already laws to protect survivors of domestic violence, so…why does the National Appellate Program 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 for reasons including:

  • Lack of legal representation for survivors

  • Bias driven by myths and stereotypes about survivors

  • Bias rooted in systemic oppression against survivors from marginalized communities

  • Lack of sufficient expertise about adult and child abuse

  • Prioritization of co-parenting and paternal access over survivor safety

  • Lack of trial court accountability

  • Excessive deference to trial judges' decisions

We use appeals, training and consultations, and policy advocacy to make the law better protect survivors.

Where we come in…

APPELLATE LITIGATION

The National Appellate Program (NAP) 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.

CONSULTATION AND TRAINING

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.

POLICY

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

Volare