TBA NEWS

On-Site DR Training For Law Firms

            From TBA News/April 2005:  On March 1, 2005, fourteen attorneys at the law firm of Cooper & Walinski attended a training session of the intricacies of handling a domestic violence case.  The firm has committed to representing low-income petitioners who have filed for civil protection orders in the Domestic Relations Court.

            Denise Boyer, a court advocate; Chief magistrate Carol Hargreaves; and attorney Tom Goodwin presented the program, and Judges Lewandowski and Zemmelman stopped in to offer their thanks and answer many questions.

            Despite the fact that representing domestic violence victims is not within the normal purview of the firm’s practice, the attendees were enthusiastic and look forward to representing those victims of domestic violence who have no where else to turn for help.  Their participation will be a great help to the Pro Bono Program, which is always in need of attorneys to go to the Domestic Relations Court.

Cooper & Walinski

Domestic Violence - Civil Protection Orders

           In regards to the above, Cooper & Walinski agreed as a firm to accept Domestic Violence/Civil Protection Order cases from the Toledo Bar Association's Pro Bono Program.  The firm’s attorneys have agreed to represent victims of domestic violence in obtaining civil protection orders against the perpetrators of the violence.  This involves meeting with the petitioners/domestic violence victims and attending court hearings.  Eight attorneys from Cooper & Walinski have taken a total of 15 cases since March 2005.   

The Toledo Bar Association approached all the Toledo firms last year, and asked each to commit to accepting a certain type of case.  Cooper & Walinski were the first to make a commitment.  Even though the Pro Bono commitment was initially only for one year, Cooper & Walinski is continuing its commitment to accept domestic violence/civil protection order referrals from the Toledo Bar Association's Pro Bono Program.