Project Safeguard

Lawyers for Victims, launched in 2016, contracts with attorneys for a flat-fee rate of $750.00 to represent some Project Safeguard clients at their Permanent Protection Order hearing.
In this program, victims/survivors who have child(ren) in common with the restrained party are prioritized to receive an attorney, although other circumstances which increase danger to the victim and/or difficulty in obtaining a PPO are also considered. There is no income qualification for the program.

The creation of an Attorney Services Program within Project Safeguard has greatly increased our ability to provide long-term, life-changing legal services to our clients who are unable to be served by other legal service agencies. However, Project Safeguard remains committed to being an advocacy organization that also offers attorney services, rather than a non-profit law firm that also employs advocates. This is critically important because it means that all our services reflect our commitment to providing trauma-informed, survivor-centered legal services with compassion, competency, and sensitivity to survivors’ needs and wishes. While attorneys are experts in the law, our clients are experts in their experiences and in determining the best strategies for ensuring their own safety and security, and that of their children. Our attorneys – whether contractors or employees – are required to clearly understand and honor the survivor’s goals and wishes, within the limits of the attorney’s ethical obligations.