THE BAR'S DOMESTIC Violence Emergency (DOVE) Project mixed business with pleasure at its May 2 training session, inviting past volunteers and supporters to a celebratory luncheon marking the program's first decade of existence. The day also provided training to 31 attorneys on effectively representing domestic violence victims who would otherwise be unrepresented at contested hearings on permanent restraining orders where key decisions involving child custody and support are decided.

Former NHBA Legal Services Director Steven Scudder, now counsel to the ABA's Standing Committee on Pro Bono programs, was the keynote speaker and shared his thoughts on how the program began during his tenure at the Bar. Scudder said he collaborated closely with Grace Mattern, the executive director of the NH Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, to address a short-term, short-notice need for legal representation by victims of domestic violence that the standard Pro Bono Program was unable to meet effectively. Mattern was honored with a special award for her ability to forge an effective working partnership between the social services and domestic violence shelter network and the Bar.

The program also saluted Hon. Susan B. Carbon, NHBA president at the time of DOVE's creation and now a Concord District Court judge and supervising judge of the Grafton County Family Division, who has worked to enhance the judiciary's understanding and ability to appropriately handle domestic violence cases; attorney David Nixon, a regular DOVE volunteer who has personally worked to bring attorneys of all kinds and ages into DOVE's volunteer ranks; and Nashua District Court Special Justice James H. Leary, who has been a key figure in creating and improving DOVE's training and recruitment programs.

The program also took note of the 30 dedicated volunteers who have been with the DOVE Project since its inception. (See accompanying DOVE Honor Roll below).

DOVE recruits and trains New Hampshire Bar members to serve on locally based volunteer panels, and also coordinates with domestic violence centers in those communities. Referrals are made by the domestic violence shelter workers who work directly with the clients. The attorneys are usually required on short notice, because of the emergency nature of most domestic violence cases, but their involvement through DOVE is limited to representing the victims, mostly women, at RSA 173-b hearings on permanent restraining orders.

The DOVE Project, which is part of the NH Pro Bono Referral Program, receives funding from the New Hampshire Bar Foundation and the federal Violence Against Women Act.

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