The Women’s Law Center of Maryland (WLC) is proud to announce a generous three-year grant of $20,000 annually from the family of Sheila K. Sachs. This generous gift through the Steve and Sheila Sachs Pursuit of Justice Fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation will support the WLC’s Collateral Legal Assistance for Survivors (CLAS) project, which provides legal assistance to survivors of intimate partner violence.
“This extraordinary gift in memory of Sheila Sachs comes at a pivotal moment,” said Katie Curran O’Malley, Executive Director of the Women’s Law Center. “In a time of funding uncertainty, this gift ensures that we can continue providing comprehensive legal representation in family law cases.”
Sheila Sachs, a devoted supporter of the Women’s Law Center since its founding, was a trailblazer for women in the legal profession. She graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1964, when women made up just 4% of attorneys in the United States. Sheila went on to become the first female partner at the law firm Gordon Feinblatt and remained a champion of community causes throughout her life. She served on the Baltimore City School Board, was President of the Baltimore City Bar Association, and was a member of the Judicial Nominations Commission for Maryland’s appellate courts. Over the course of her distinguished career, she received numerous prestigious awards honoring her contributions to family law and the legal profession.
“My mother believed deeply in the mission of the WLC and the powerful difference it makes in women’s lives. Through this gift, we wanted to help ensure that every survivor has access to the support and legal protection they need,” said her daughter, Elisabeth Sachs. “Supporting the WLC honors her legacy and ensures that her dedication to justice for women lives on.”
The CLAS project was created to address the long-term legal needs of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. It answers the critical question: “What comes next?” after a survivor obtains a protective order. While the protective order offers immediate safety, survivors are often left facing complex legal challenges, especially in the areas of divorce and custody. CLAS provides holistic legal representation for these civil legal matters. Although the program primarily supports survivors after a protective order is issued, CLAS attorneys will also represent clients in protective order hearings in any Maryland jurisdiction when appropriate.
“The CLAS project has been a lifeline for our clients. Helping survivors achieve positive outcomes in their divorce and custody cases empowers them to rebuild their lives,” said Sara Powel, WLC’s Chief Legal Officer. “This project truly fulfills our mission of promoting safety, economic security, and autonomy. We hope this remarkable act of generosity will inspire others to support our work.”
To learn more or to support the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, please visit wlcmd.org or call 410-321-8761.
Image courtesy of Gordon Feinblatt LLC