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USDC-EDLA’s 2021 POWER Act Event

Release Date: 
Monday, October 4, 2021

On September 16, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana hosted a Zoom educational event entitled, “Empowering Beyond Survival: Exploring Pro Bono Representation of Domestic Violence Survivors.”  The Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown, Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, hosted the event in compliance with the POWER Act, also known as the “Pro Bono Work to Empower and Represent” Act, a congressional mandate requiring the chief judge of each federal district to host an annual event promoting pro bono legal services for domestic violence survivors.  Chief Judge Brown gave opening and closing remarks, and panelists, Elena Perez, Managing Attorney for Southeast Louisiana Legal Services’ Pro Bono Program, Rebecca Rainey, Program Director for Metro Centers for Community Advocacy, Theresa Robertson, Attorney for Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, and Allyson Tuttle, Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Project S.A.V.E., provided vital information on identifying and working with domestic violence survivors, court safety procedures, services provided by local domestic violence service providers, and pro bono opportunities.  Over 130 legal professionals attended the event, proving our local legal community’s commitment to serving survivors in need.  To view the event, please select this link.