In 1983, the Marin Women’s Commission conducted a needs survey and learned that women getting divorced were not able to afford attorneys. The Commission, with the help of Supervisor Hal Brown, created the Family Law Center for Women and Children—now the Family and Children’s Law Center—to fill that critical gap.

Today, FACLC has an annual budget of $550,000 and employs six staff members who provide high-quality, low-cost legal representation to approximately 1,200 clients per year. Seventy percent of those clients are women; 95% are very-low or low-income; and most are White (50%) or Latinx (37%). Its staff offers a range of services, from divorce and child custody to adoption and guardianships. They will also represent any victim of domestic violence in obtaining a restraining order, regardless of income. In 2018, FACLC added immigration legal assistance.

Every client attends an intake clinic. During the 30-minute consultation, they receive legal advice, an action plan detailing the recommended legal steps, the cost for each step, and an appointment to start the process. FACLC then provides full representation, including negotiating with opposing counsel, attending settlement conferences, and representing clients in court. Fees are charged on a sliding scale, from free to $250.

Executive Director Kris Cirby has been at the helm since 2014: “Our clients come to us at the most emotional and difficult time of their lives. They are forced to share some of the most personal aspects of their lives with us as part of their family law case…. Our clients want stability and safety for their family.”

Ms. Cirby shared the story of a representative recent client, a mother of three named Linda (name changed to protect her identity):

Linda finally found the courage to contact the police about the abuse she and her children had endured. She had a seven-day Emergency Protective Order issued by the police that was set to expire soon and would leave the family unprotected. She was ready to pursue a Domestic Violence Restraining Order with the court but needed help. In her initial meeting, Linda described a very lengthy history of physical abuse. She had never made any prior reports because the family depended on the father’s higher income to survive in Marin County. During the appointment with us, Linda provided photographs of her injuries and damage to the home caused by the father. The children also feared their father and had experienced physical abuse by him as well. We prepared the 31 pages of Judicial Council forms and a detailed declaration to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order and set a hearing for a permanent order. We represented Linda through a lengthy hearing that included testimony about the abuse. Once granted, we represented Linda in a follow-up hearing to obtain sole custody orders. After this, our staff made referrals to other agencies to ensure the family obtained counseling to heal from years of trauma. The family is now healing and finally living in their home without daily fear.

FACLC is often the only opportunity that some Marin families have to obtain affordable access to legal services. “Family law and immigration law are two areas of law that impact a person’s day-to-day life,” said Ms. Cirby. “Every court decision affects a family’s financial and emotional stability. Having an enforceable child support order may be the difference between paying the rent and becoming homeless. Having a Restraining Order translates to a client not living in perpetual fear. Becoming a citizen provides security and can fulfill a lifelong dream. Outlining a visitation schedule allows children to have contact with both parents while limiting exposure to damaging parental conflict. These are things we do every day.”

How can MCBA members help?
FACLC is currently looking to grow its board of directors. MCBA members who are interested in serving on the board, please contact Kris Cirby at kcirby@faclc.org. It also offers the opportunity for attorneys and law students to volunteer. Finally, it relies on the generosity of individuals. Donations can be made at faclcmarin.org, at the FACLC Poker Tournament on April 27, 2019, and its annual Bocce Ball Tournament in the fall. 2020 marks the organization’s 35th anniversary and planning for the celebration is already underway.