A Voice in the Courtroom: How the Women’s Bar Foundation Helps Survivors Find Justice
Article
When Didi* and Bob* moved from Vietnam to the United States, they dreamed of building a new life together. But those dreams soon gave way to fear and control. After the birth of their son, Timmy*, who was born with special needs, Didi stayed home to care for him while Bob became the sole income earner. Over time, he became physically and financially abusive, making food, heat, and basic necessities conditional on Didi’s strict obedience to his long list of rules.
That summer, Bob bought tickets for Didi and Timmy to visit family in Vietnam. When their return date came, Bob refused to buy tickets home. Stranded abroad, Didi eventually scraped together enough money from relatives to return to Boston only to find that Bob had moved to California, turned off the utilities, and changed the locks.
Homeless and terrified, Didi and Timmy found refuge in a shelter run by one of the Women’s Bar Foundation’s community partners. When Bob served her with divorce papers seeking sole custody of Timmy, the shelter referred Didi to the Women’s Bar Foundation (WBF) for help.
WBF paired Didi with a volunteer attorney, who represented her in family court and secured an order granting Didi sole custody of Timmy, along with child support. Their community partner connected Timmy to educational and social services, and Didi was able to find work and move out of shelter. Today, she and Timmy are safe, stable, and thriving.
Standing Beside Survivors
Stories like Didi’s are at the heart of the Women’s Bar Foundation’s mission. Every day, hundreds of women across Massachusetts face the justice system alone, many while fleeing violence, poverty, or the risk of losing their children.
Dedicated to expanding access to justice for low-income individuals and their families, WBF brings together a community of volunteer attorneys who provide free legal representation in abuse prevention hearings and family law cases. Their work helps prevent further violence, homelessness, and loss of child custody at the most critical moments in a survivor’s life.
The Power of Pro Bono Advocacy
Each WBF volunteer attorney is paired with an experienced mentor who provides guidance at every stage of the case. “We make sure our volunteers never have to figure it out on their own,” says Lola Remy, Director of Pro Bono Programs. “They’re part of a team committed to protecting survivors and rebuilding lives.”
Through this model, WBF empowers attorneys to use their skills to deliver life-changing results, whether securing restraining orders, navigating custody disputes, or ensuring that survivors have a voice in court.
Training and Support for Volunteers
Volunteers receive robust training and mentorship, malpractice coverage, and technical support from start to finish. Whether a new practitioner or seasoned litigator, every volunteer has the backing of the WBF community.
“I felt supported every step of the way,” says one WBF volunteer attorney. “Having a mentor and the WBF team behind me gave me the confidence to take on a matter that changed someone’s life.”
Join the Movement for Justice
WBF’s work shows what’s possible when the legal community stands together to serve those most in need. Each pro bono case represents not only a victory in court, but a step toward safety, stability, and hope for survivors across Massachusetts.
Learn more about volunteering with the Women’s Bar Foundation and how you can make a difference at wbawbf.org.
