About the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law

contentsW h o W e A r e

O u r P r o g r a m s

S u c c e s s S t o r i e s

F i n a n c e s

O u r P e o p l e

C o n t a c t

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who we arecontentsThe Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law has been a pioneer in advancing the interests of low-income individuals and families in Los Angeles through education, advocacy and hands-on legal assistance for over 35 years. The Center provides free direct legal assistance to about 800 very low-income persons and 700 children each year.

H I S T O R Y O F T H E C E N T E R

O U R A W A R D S

Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law hbcfl.org

O u r M i s s i o n a n d V i s i o n

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W h o W e A r e

O u r P r o g r a m s

This trailblazing legal program was the first in California to provide in depth continuing self-help assistance to very low-income individuals with family law and domestic violence problems and to empower clients to represent themselves in court.

Pro PerThere is only one legal a id

attorney for every 7,300

people l iv ing in pover t y in

Cal i fornia .

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O u r P r o g r a m s

Over 70% of all Center clients report a history of domestic violence, and most are women. The Center provides intensive, ongoing legal assistance to victims, and helps shield their children from harm by obtaining appropriate orders for custody, visitation and support for their parents.

Domestic Violence Assistance33% of a l l women l iv ing in Cal i fornia —

that ’s 6 .5 mi l l ion women —

have been raped, beaten or sta lked by

an int imate par tner in their l ives.

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O u r P r o g r a m s

Collaborating with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Center conducts interactive classes in the county jails to educate incarcerated women on family law, child welfare and domestic violence topics. Approximately 3,000 women attend the program each year.

Mothers Behind BarsNear ly 80% of women

held in local ja i l s are mothers,

and most are s ingle parents.

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O u r P r o g r a m s

By maintaining an active program of recruiting and training over 250 volunteers to help its clients, the Center enables attorneys, law students, interpreters and other professionals to maximize the use of their skills to give back to the community.

Volunteer Award Recipients

Volunteer and Law Student DevelopmentI n Cal i fornia , there are only

960 legal ser v ice attorneys providing

f ree help to indigent people.

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O u r P r o g r a m s

With the help of committed and dedicated private practitioners, the Center offers several thousand hours of free legal representation to clients facing barriers to self-representation such as severe abuse, a disability or complex legal issues.

The Center affords pro bono attorneys the opportunity to appear in court and handle a case from start to finish. Pro bono attorneys can also earn practice requirements for certification as a family law specialist (CFLS.)

Pro Bono Panel

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Image: Pro bono attorney Robyn Santucci, M.S., C.F.L.S.

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S u c c e s s S t o r i e s

“E i ther You Do Something Or I Wi l l ”

Rosa* was terrified that her desperate teenage son, abused by his father because he was gay and trapped living in his house, would irreparably harm himself. A Center pro bono attorney’s vigorous and compassionate advocacy prevented tragedy from happening, and Rosa’s son began a new life of acceptance, self-worth and exciting possibility.

To read the full story, click here.

*Name and photo have been changed to protect client’s privacy.

Who We Help

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S u c c e s s S t o r i e s

Tonia* wanted to protect her young son from his father’s deadly rages. They had been trapped in an escalating cycle of abuse, threats and erratic behavior. In the worst and most recent episode, Tonia’s son, just five years old, likely saved her life by seeking help.

Tonia sought legal assistance from the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law to shield her son and ensure his well-being through custody orders. She got that, and so much more.To read more, click here.

More Center Success Stories

*Name and photo have been changed to protect client’s privacy.

Two Victims, One Hope

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Legal assistance programsGeneral administration and fundraising

where your money goes

GovernmentIndividual and businessesFoundationsOther

where our money comes from

7%

93%

54%32%

11%3%

Legal assistance programsGeneral administration and fundraising

where your money goes

GovernmentIndividual and businessesFoundationsOther

where our money comes from

7%

93%

54%32%

11%3%

F i n a n c e s

We effectively turn every dollar you donate into legal services for the poor. We are proud of our record of keeping administrative costs to a minimum and utilizing the services of our dedicated volunteers to provide legal advice, counseling, preparation and in some instances, pro bono representation.

To see our list of donors, click here.

To view our finances, click here.

(includes value of donated services)

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O u r P e o p l e

Board of Direc tors

Candice K. Rogers, PresidentScott Weston, President-ElectHeidi S. Tuffias, Secretary William Scott Mowrey, Jr., Treasurer Amos Buhai, Immediate Past President Kimberly R. Arnal Stephanie M. BarnettTamara Benefield Andrew DeBlock David Ettinger Elisa FernandezJean HuangEsther P. KimLouise Nixon David P. ShebbySerine TsudaJessica A. Uzcategui

Advisor y Counci l

Judith R. Forman, ChairLeah M. BishopHon. Aviva Bobb, (Ret.)Judy BogenJeffrey BuhaiBruce ClemensHon. Isabel R. Cohen, (Ret.)Bruce CoopermanEmily S. EdelmanPaula KaneTracy Farryl Katz Robert KaufmanStephen A. KolodnyHon. Veronica Simmons McBeth, (Ret.)Joan Patsy Ostroy (Co-founder)Patricia PhillipsHon. Robert Schnider, (Ret.)Lance SpiegelSorrell TropeLaura A. Wasser

Center ’s Staf f

Betty L. Nordwind | Executive Director Heidi K. Slater | Deputy DirectorFred Emmer | Senior Supervising AttorneyElizabeth Erickson | Senior Staff Attorney Pablo Schlueter-Corey | Senior Staff AttorneyCheryl Segal | Senior Staff AttorneyRebecca Fischer | Staff AttorneyHolly Leonard | Staff AttorneyLisa Smith | Staff AttorneyRehema Rhodes Williams | Staff Attorney/Pro Bono Manager Isabel Tovar | Supervising Client AssistantElvira Castillo | Senior Client AssistantNoemi Hidalgo | Client AssistantAnna Jimenez | Client AssistantArlene Teutla | Client AssistantEsther Castillo | Administrative AssistantKimberly A. Britts | Communications Assistant Kris Breitenbach | Development AssistantTaryn May | Volunteer Coordinator

Ex O ff ic io

Also members of the Advisory Council Yolande Chambers Adelson*Blanche BerschVera Brown-Curtis*Valerie CohenCarolyn Kozuch DeFrancescoMablean Ephriam (Co-founder)Deborah EwingLarry A. GinsbergFahi Takesh HallinNedra JenkinsSusan R. StockelBeverly A. Williams

*Deceased

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contact3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 710 Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 388-7505 www.hbcfl.org

The Center is a co-sponsored project of the Black Women Lawyers Association, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

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get involved

Leader ($50,000+)Harris • Ginsberg LLP

Weingart Foundation

Guardian ($30,000-49,999)J.B. & Emily Van Nuys Charities

Susta iner ($20,000-29,999)CMM, LLP

Jaffe and Clemens

Nigro Karlin Segal Feldstein & Bolno

The Rose Hills Foundation

Venable LLP

Par tner ($10,000-19,999)Angels Foundation

Leah M. Bishop and Gary M. Yale

Fariba Cohanim

Law Offices of Judith R. Forman, P.C.

Gursey | Schneider LLP

Jacobson Scully Shebby LLP

Kolodny Law Group

Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers LLP

Hon. Jill S. Robbins, (Ret.)and Robert W. Eisfelder

Susan R. Stockel

Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles, P.C.

Wells Fargo

William M. Keck, Jr. Foundation

David and Susan Wilstein

Benefac tor ($5 ,000-9 ,999)ACFLS Charitable Foundation, Inc.

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Southern Calif.

Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA

Noel and Diane Applebaum

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Blank Rome LLP

California Community Foundation

The California Endowment

Kalyani Chirra and Peter Simon

Hon. Isabel R. Cohen, (Ret.) and Paul F. Cohen

Mablean Ephriam

In the struggle for justice and equity, our donors have made the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law one of the most successful legal

services organizations in the state. We are deeply grateful for the support of our major donors who ensure the future of the Harriett

Buhai Center for Family Law for generations to come.

O u r D o n o r s

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David and Susan Ettinger

Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLP

Fox Rothschild LLP

Mercy Fresno

Horvitz & Levy LLP

Stanley Iezman and Nancy Stark / American Realty Advisors

Elizabeth Parks Kibbey

Rob Levine and Larry A. Ginsberg

James Meyer

The Morrison and Foerster Foundation

Beverly Pollens in Honor of Linda and Sorrell Trope

Sidney Stern Memorial Trust

Susan Steinhauser and Daniel Greenberg

Sorrell Trope / USC Family Law Public Interest Fellowship

The Law Office of Christine V. Twining, APC

Sally Vail

White, Zuckerman, Warsavsky, Luna & Hunt LLP

Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Patron ($2,500-4 ,999)Johnna K. Boylan, Esq.

Kappy K. Bristol

Melissa B. Buchman

Jeff Buhai and Suzanne Rosenblatt

William Comanor, Ph.D.

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Patrick DeCarolis, Jr. and Cathleen Young

Law Offices of Emily S. Edelman

Elisa Fernandez and Jose Sanchez

Fiduciary Trust International of California

Frankel, Reichman & Rizzo LLP

Gregory & EJ Milken Foundation

Hahn & Hahn LLP

Hersh Mannis LLP

Law Office of Benjamin Kanani

Jacqueline Klein

Dena Kravitz and Alex Macris

Alexandra Leichter, Ariel Leichter-Maroko and Jenna C. Spatz/ Leichter Leichter-Maroko LLP

The Los Angeles Cotillion Charitable Trust /Los Angeles Chapter The Links, Inc.

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP

QDRO Benefits Law Group- Louise Nixon, Esq. President

The Nordwind Family in Honor of Aaron Nordwind

Joan Patsy Ostroy and James R. Eliaser

Candice K. Rogers

Law and Mediation Offices of Karen Rosin

Sacks, Glazier, Franklin & Lodise, LLP

Judge John H. Sandoz, (Ret.) and Ms. Beverley Morgan-Sandoz

David Schindler and Carol Johnson

Samantha F. Spector

Sandra Jo Streeter

Serine Tsuda and Troy Nakamatsu

Heidi Tuffias and Ken Mora

Robert Tuffias

Jessica Uzcategui and Carlos Singer

Walzer & Melcher LLP

Rehema Rhodes Williams in Honor of Barbara and Russell Rhodes

Young, Spiegel & Lee, LLP

Sponsor ($1 ,500-2 ,499)Bernard Alexander

Allred, Maroko & Goldberg

Anonymous

Adam and Stephanie Barnett

Bell Family Trust

Gary and Marsha Blum

Hon. Aviva Bobb, (Ret.) and Ian Russ, Ph.D.

Lynn and Robert C. Brandt

Brot & Gross LLP

Buter, Buzard, Fishbein & Royce LLP

Donna Castorino

Lucy Dahl

Lorenzo De Maio

Donald S. Eisenberg

FLAMES (Family Law Attorney Mediators Engaged in Study)

Kate and Jay Galston

Bill and Janet Glucksman

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Erin L. Grey

Stefanie M. Hall, Hall Family Law

Wendy A. Herzog and Stephen F. Rohde

Jean Huang / Alliance Bernstein

Lorch Greene, LLP

Law Office of Paula Kane

Denise, Sheldon, Dena and Jason Kravitz

Gary Miller and Judith Seeds Miller

Christopher Moore and Sharon A. Bryan / Moore Bryan & Schroff LLP

N.S. Goldstein Foundation

Denise A. Nardi

Reuben Raucher & Blum

Ribet & Silver

Law Offices of Schuchman & Kaplan

Schwartz & Shapiro LLP

Shulman Family Law Group

Lynn Soodik and Steve Wasserman

Summers, Levine & Kretzmer, LLP

Laurie J. Taylor

Sorrell and Linda Trope

Ruth Waddell and Eric Stockel

Scott and Ruth Weston

Law Offices of Annie Wishingrad