I write to thank Juneau lawyer Ben Brown for his service to the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. In recognition, we have named Ben our ANDVSA volunteer attorney of the month.
The ANDVSA Legal Program provides legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, and over the years, Ben has donated his time to represent clients for us. When he began his new position as a commissioner on the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, however, he was no longer able to represent individuals. Even so, he continued to demonstrate his commitment to helping survivors and began to answer our Information and Referral hotline, a bi-monthly hotline for survivors wishing to call and speak with an attorney about their legal questions.
It’s this exceptional volunteerism that we want to recognize. Even when one option closed, Ben found another way he could help. He is now a regular on the hotline, donating his time nearly every month. People who call the hotline are often scared and confused, and Ben is able to provide them with the information they need to feel more confident to access legal options to end the violence in their lives.
Thanks to Ben and to our other statewide attorneys,, ANDVSA is able to serve a far greater number of Alaskans than if we relied on our staff alone. If any attorneys reading this would also like to volunteer, even if they have no experience with family law, please contact us through our website www.andvsa.org.
Christine McLeod Pate
ANDVSA Legal Program Director
