Pro Bono Client Secures Victory in Bronx Family Court

Paul, Weiss and co-counsel Sanctuary for Families secured a victory for a pro bono client in Bronx Family Court by obtaining a 5-year final order of protection following a six-day bench trial.

In 2019, our client left an abusive relationship and filed for custody of her two young children. She also obtained a temporary order of protection (TOP) against her husband. Paul, Weiss was engaged in April 2021 to seek a final order of protection and file a violation petition alleging multiple violations of the TOP. In October 2021, associate Paige Geier also successfully argued against a fourth substitution of counsel for the respondent father.

In a bifurcated bench trial beginning in October 2021 and spanning six court dates through February 2022, the Paul, Weiss team put on multiple witnesses and asked the court for a 5-year final order of protection based on a finding of aggravating circumstances due to a violent event that occurred with one of the children present and violations of the TOP. Associate Arianna Markel put on a direct examination of our client on the history of domestic violence and sexual abuse during the relationship and the TOP violations. She also cross-examined the respondent father, impeaching him with audio evidence of his statements that a husband cannot rape his wife.

In its April 19 decision, the court granted the final order of protection with a finding of aggravating circumstances. The court also found we established that the respondent committed multiple family offenses and violations of the TOP. The judge wrote in detail about our client’s credibility and composure while testifying, in contrast to the respondent. Our client’s custody trial is set for early August.

The Paul, Weiss trial team was led by litigation partner Audra Soloway and associates Arianna Markel and Paige Geier. The team also included associate Robert O’Loughlin, who was instrumental in pre-trial proceedings.