By: Hope Talieh, Legal Advocacy Program Manager
As someone who has worked closely with both legal advocates and attorneys, I can tell you the distinction between them is not slight. It is not quantitative either. A legal advocate does not do more or less of what an attorney does, rather the difference is qualitative which is why survivors of relationship violence need both.
Attorneys focus on advocating for their client’s legal rights within the judicial system. They make strategic decisions based on the evidence they deem admissible in court. Their advocacy extends to legal proceedings, negotiations, and courtroom battles actively pursuing legal remedies to restore or expand their client’s rights. The right to custody, property, protection from a person, and relief from financial obligations can all be pursued vigorously and won in court. Lawyers and lawyering are necessary for relationship violence survivors to prevail in their requests for protection orders, secure custody, spousal support, and/or dissolution of marriage to their abuser. These dedicated professionals champion survivors’ rights with unwavering dedication, representing them fiercely in courtrooms for resolutions that prioritize their safety and dignity.
Legal advocates also serve on the front lines, offering not just practical assistance but also a steady hand of emotional support focusing on the survivors welfare, well-being, and empowerment. They stand alongside survivors, guiding them through the complexities of legal processes with empathy and care to ensure survivors feel heard, valued, and equipped to reclaim their autonomy. A legal advocate’s first focus is assessing the level of danger the victim or survivor is in and safety planning with them accordingly. After that, the advocate’s primary role is to educate them about their rights, legal options, and the services available to them. An effective legal advocate not only spends a great deal of time explaining legal processes and procedures, but they also explore the natural consequences of pursuing these remedies with the client to ensure they are not leading the client towards a pyrrhic victory.
Any legal advocate will tell you about the glimmer of hope they see in their client’s look eyes after they begin to understand they have options and begin experiencing the emotional support they were denied. Relationship violence is both isolating and disempowering to those who have the misfortune to experience it. The best remedy for powerlessness is knowledge. Recognizing the dichotomy of power in abusive relationships, legal advocates ensure every step of the way the client is captain of their ship and sets the course for their path towards recovery from relationship violence, whatever that might look like.
Both legal advocates and lawyers collaborate closely to ensure survivors receive holistic support throughout their journey toward safety. Together they do more than uphold the law; they spark change, nurture resilience, and illuminate a path forward toward safety and healing. This synergy between legal advocates and lawyers is not just about navigating systems—it’s about reshaping them to serve the needs of survivors. It is about reclaiming agency, restoring dignity, and building a future free from fear.
By combining emotional support, empowerment, and expert legal representation, they work together to empower survivors, hold abusers accountable, and create safety for survivors and their families. Human Options clients benefit from the generous support of Pro Bono Attorneys in Orange County who continue to donate hundreds of hours of their time free of charge to support survivors of relationship violence and help keep them safe. If you are a licensed California attorney and would like to help a survivor by participating in our Pro Bono Program, please contact Hope Talieh, Legal Advocacy Program Manager at [email protected] or (949) 919-1186.
At Human Options, we offer a 24/7 hotline where victims and survivors can speak with an empathetic, caring advocate who can help navigate available resources and validate their experience. Our Legal Advocates are trained and available to support victims navigating the legal system. To learn more about our Legal Advocacy Program or to get connected with a Legal Advocate click here.
For more information call our hotline at 877-854-3594 or visit humanoptions.org.
