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Family Advocacy Clinic Wins Peacemaker Award

October 8, 2003

At a special awards luncheon October 2, 2003, the Capital University Law School Family Advocacy Clinic accepted one of two Peacemaker awards given by Choices, an organization dedicated to serving victims of domestic abuse. Choices awarded the Peacemaker award to the Family Advocacy Clinic for the pro bono representation it provides to victims of family violence.

Left to right: Roberta Mitchell, Lori McCaughan, Jenifer Thompson, Lisa Eschleman, Lina Kirchner, Brandi Rovito, Danny Bank, Nicole Hall-Wildinson. Not pictured: Phyllis Hill and Rebecca Sager.

Now in its third year, the Family Advocacy Clinic is funded by the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence which was established with gifts from Abigail and Les Wexner. Today it partners with several other organizations such as the Legal Aid Society of Columbus and the Columbus City Prosecutors Office. A program initially designed to handle 200 cases per year, the Family Advocacy Clinic has provided services for approximately 2000 individuals.

The Family Advocacy Clinic has two units which provide legal support: the child custody unit and the civil protection unit.

Roberta Mitchell, Professor of Law at Capital University Law School is director of the Family Advocacy Clinic. Attorneys Danny Bank and Lori McCaughan supervise the two units of the Family Advocacy Clinic. Capital University Law School students who enroll in General Litigation Clinic participate in the Family Advocacy Clinic as well. They help attorneys in court on child custody cases and by working as law clerks.

Choices is a comprehensive program offering a wide range of services for victims and survivors of domestic violence. Services range from shelters and hotline counseling to education and advocacy.

In addition to presenting the Family Advocacy Clinic with a Peacemaker award, Choices awarded Gloria McCauley a Peacemaker award. Ms. McCauley founded BRAVO (the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization) to provide crisis intervention and support to survivors of hate crimes. Ms. McCauley continues to lead this agency.

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