Deborah S.

About Deborah S.

A judge just ruled against a domestic violence survivor.Maybe they didn\'t believe them. Maybe they imposed a \"singular vision\" of how an abused person should act. Maybe they prioritized \"family unity\" over a child\'s safety.Now that survivor is supposed to accept it. Live with a decision that puts them and their children at risk.The family court system is decades behind. Judges are making life-altering decisions based on bias, outdated understandings of abuse, and standards that don\'t reflect what we know about coercive control and trauma.And survivors are paying the price — with their safety, their children, their lives.I’ve watched systems that were supposed to protect people fail them instead.So I’ve taken a different path, focusing on designing systems that actually work for the people they\'re meant to serve.Now, with 15 years in policy advocacy and non-profit leadership, I’m the CEO of Family Violence Appellate Project — one of the only organizations in the country dedicated to appealing dangerous family court decisions for domestic violence survivors. For free.When trial courts get it wrong, my team and I fight to make it right.We screen 230 cases annually with 7 staff attorneys and 500+ volunteer lawyers—publishing precedents that protect thousands of families.When we take a case, survivors are 4x times more likely to win.When FVAP started, there were fewer than 10 survivor-protective precedents in California. Today there are over 100 — many shaped directly by our work.Our vision: Justice should happen the first time.We want to- Change how California courts understand and respond to domestic violence- Identify patterns in judicial errors- Build precedent that transforms the legal landscape- Create systemic change — one appeal at a time.This type of work in family law appeals can feel like an obstacle course.But we\'ve proven we can navigate it:→ 80%+ success rate→ 92% staff retention rate→ 88% cost reduction over 2 yearsWe\'ve built an organization designed for impact and built to last.What we need now is investment to meet the rising demand.We have the expertise. We have the track record. We have the roadmap to make California the most protective state in the nation for survivors.If you\'re a philanthropist, foundation leader, impact investor, or pro bono manager who believes justice shouldn\'t depend on whether you can afford an appeal — or whether you even know one is possible — let\'s connect.Together, we can transform the legal landscape for survivors. DM me today.

Experience

1. CEO Executive Director

   Family Violence Appellate Project

   Feb 2023 — Present · Oakland, CA, US

Education

• California State University - East Bay

  Master's degree, Social Work

• UCLA

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, English