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Levitt & Quinn is a recipient of the GuideStar Gold rating for our commitment to transparency
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Our Founders
Ziva Sirkis Naumann
Ethel Levitt (1911-1995)
Grace Quinn (1915-2006)
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A Message from the
Executive Director
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Dear Friends and Supporters,
Welcome to our summer 2017 newsletter! I really like the summer newsletter because it allows me to sing the praises of the truly awesome people who share with us their precious time and valuable skills. Levitt & Quinn wouldn't be the organization that it is without the contributions of volunteers whose efforts help us ensure stability for our client families. Recently past and current volunteers joined us in our back patio for our second annual volunteer appreciation cocktail party just a few weeks ago. Staff Attorney and Volunteer Coordinator Becky Miller showed off her Moscow Mule-making skills. Delicious!
We had another great group of summer clerks this year. Undergrads Sophie Geha (University of Puget Sound) and Abby Wisen (Tulane) are rising juniors who aspire to attend law school. Law student Brianna Franco (Loyola) is a rising 2L with a passion for helping low-income members of our community. And James Lopez, Jr. helped us tremendously with Spanish translation and interpretation. James is completing his MA in Spanish to English Translation at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. They are all rock stars who helped us provide responsive quality services to our clients. Although we will miss them very much we also look forward to welcoming them back soon. We also said goodbye to three wonderful attorney volunteers. Alik Segal left us to focus on his expanding practice. Yoko Kano returned to Japan, where she is licensed to practice law. She volunteered with us for over 8 months after finishing her LLM at USC. Alyssa Van Breene volunteered with us in preparation to transition her practice from probate to family law. Congratulations to Alyssa on her new family law position!
This month we also completed the first year of our quarterly Families Uniting Families pilot family law clinic with Jenesse Center, Inc. The first year of our pilot just flew by. With superb organization from the Jenesse team and help from dedicated attorney and student volunteers ably led by our Becky Miller, we helped 55 families with their unresolved family law problems. We look forward to many more years of joint service with our sister organization.
Lastly, I hope to see you at the 36th Annual Stand for Justice Gala at the Skirball Cultural Center on September 16. Tickets are on sale now! We are so pleased to honor Judge Hank Goldberg, Steve Mindel, and First Foundation. In their own unique way, each honoree has demonstrated a commitment to service that has improved the communities they've touched. Join us on September 16 and hear more about their impact.
Warmly,
Ana M. Storey
Executive Director
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Gala Auction Preview: Plan Your Next Trip Now!
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Check out a preview of some of the vacations that you can bid on during our Silent Auction. Bid on these items online or in person on September 16th! Be sure to
register
for our Silent Auction in advance.
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Round-Trip Flight to Europe Aboard Turkish Airlines
Two Economy Seats. All Flights are from LAX to Istanbul to ANYWHERE in Europe to Istanbul to LAX
Enjoy two round-trip coach class tickets to anywhere in Europe aboard Turkish Airlines. Flights are via LAX to Istanbul to Europe and back via Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines offers award-winning cuisine and wonderful Turkish Hospitality, which makes it the most elegant and relaxing way to begin and end your vacation!
Voted "Best Airline in Europe" by Skytrax four years in a row (2011-2015), Turkish Airlines, unparalleled service and flight safety offers a unique experience for travelers.
Restrictions: Minimum of 4 weeks notice needed for travel dates. Turkish Airlines will do their best to accommodate your request, but w
inner should have flexible travel dates.
Donated by Turkish Airlines
Estimated Value: $4,000
Opening Bid: $1,500
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Maui Adventure
An incredible s-night stay in an estate-sized home nestled in the Pinnacle, overlooking the Kaanapali Golf Course with stunning ocean and island views of Lana'i and Moloka'i.
This home boasts 4.5 bedrooms, 4 baths, is fully furnished, has solid teak doors, and exquisite details throughout. This home features over 4,254 square feet, a private pool, private spa and is a five minute drive to the beach.
Must complete stay by September 1, 2018. Dates subject to availability.
Donated by Board Member Michael Levitt
Estimated Value: $15,000
Opening Bid: $5,000
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St. James's Club, Antigua
Seven-Night Stay for Two (Does not include all-inclusive fee of $125 per day, per person for food and beverages)
You and a guest will enjoy a seven-night stay at the all-inclusive St. James's Club Resort & Villas. Certificate may be used for up to two rooms for two couples. Tucked away on a secluded 100-acre peninsula on the southeastern coast of Antigua, the St. James's Club Resort & Villas exudes a casual, club-like ambiance. Guests can also sunbathe or dip into six distinctive swimming pools, succumb to the pleasures of a spa and salon, or stay plugged in at the internet café.
Donated by St. James's Club
Estimated Value: $1,400 - $2,800
Opening Bid: $600
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Los Establos Boutique Inn, Panama
Five-Night Stay (Does not include all-inclusive fee of $115 per day, per person for food and beverages)
Five nights of accommodations, double occupancy for one room ($800 value per room) or up to three rooms (a $2,400 value) at Los Establos Boutique Inn. Take the whole family or surprise a loved one for that romantic getaway. The hotel is situated 4,000 feet above sea level, and overlooks 16 acres of coffee farms. All reservations are subject to a mandatory $115 surcharge per person, per night, (plus tax) which provides the following:
- Breakfast (American/Panamanian Style)
- Lunch (Panamanian Style)
- Dinner (Los Establos Restaurant or Bistro)
Plus your choice of one activity per day, per person:
- Spa treatment
- Coffee tour
- Rainforest safari
- Zip lining
- Hiking to famous Baru volcano
Donated by Los Establos Boutique Inn
Estimated Value: $800 - $2,400
Opening Bid: $350
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Palm Island Resort, The Grenadines
Seven-Night Stay for Two (Does not include all-inclusive fee of $140-$240 per day, per person for food and beverages)
Enjoy a seven-night stay at the all-inclusive Palm Island Resort in The Grenadines. Certificate may be used for up to two rooms for two couples.
Palm Island Resort is an exclusive 135-acre private-island hideaway, situated near the southern tip of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The resort offers five dazzling white-sand beaches, sumptuous dining, non-motorized water sports, nature trails, tennis, fitness center, free-form swimming pool with waterfall, and spa treatments.
Donated by Palm Island Resort
Estimated Value: $1,500 - $3,000
Opening Bid: $500
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Pineapple Beach Club, Antigua
Seven-Night Stay for Two (Does not include all-inclusive fee of $120 per day, per person for food and beverages)
Enjoy a seven-night stay at the all-inclusive Pineapple Beach Club in Antigua. Certificate may be used for up to two rooms for two couples.
Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, an all-inclusive and adults-only resort, is ideally located on 30 acres of tropical paradise and overlooks one of Antigua's best white sand beaches. This resort is perfect for couples or friends seeking laid back fun in the sun, wonderful dining, signature cocktails and a relaxed island atmosphere.
Donated by Pineapple Beach Club
Estimated Value: $1,050 - $2,100
Opening Bid: $450
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The Club Barbados Resort & Spa
Seven-Night Stay for Two (Does not include all-inclusive fee of $125 per day, per person for food and beverages)
You and a guest will enjoy a seven-night stay at the all-inclusive The Club Resort & Spa, Barbados. Certificate may be used for up to two rooms for two couples.
This oceanfront resort is nestled among five acres of lush, tropical gardens, and offers panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. The Club offers a wide selection of activities for guests to enjoy including three freshwater swimming pools, a freshwater jacuzzi, tennis, and exciting water sports.
Donated by The Club Barbados Resort & Spa
Estimated Value: $800 - $2,400
Opening Bid: $400
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St. James's Club Morgan Bay, St. Lucia
Seven-Night Stay for Two (Does not include all-inclusive fee of $115 per day, per person for food and beverages)
You and a guest will enjoy a seven-night stay for two people at the four-star all-inclusive St. James's Morgan Bay Beach Resort in St. Lucia. Certificate may be used for up to two rooms for two couples.
Nestled beachfront, Morgan Bay Beach Resort is a vibrant, colorful, and refreshingly casual all-inclusive resort, distinguished by its romantic waterfront setting, just minutes from the world-class Rodney Bay Marina, Cap Estate Golf Course, and capital city of Castries.
Donated by St. James's Club Morgan Bay
Estimated Value: $1,050 - $2,100
Opening Bid: $400
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Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, Santa Fe, NM
Two-Night Midweek Stay in a King Casita Room with Daily Breakfast
Enjoy a two-night midweek stay in a King Casita room including daily breakfast at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Set against the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Encantado is an oasis of serenity, privacy and luxury. Designed to be a destination of wellness and rejuvenation the resort taps into the mystic energies for which the New Mexico desert is famous.
Donated by Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado
Estimated Value: $1,400
Opening Bid: $400
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"Shelly's" husband flew into a rage. He broke their television and the bathroom sink. He destroyed Shelly's clothes. He physically attacked Shelly, beating her face and kicking her all over her body. When Shelly tried to call the police for help, her husband pulled the phone cord out of the wall. Luckily, Shelly escaped and made it to her neighbor's apartment who took Shelly in and called the police. When the police arrived, they arrested Shelly's husband.
Although the police were proceeding with charges against her husband, they also advised Shelly to go to court and file her own request for a civil restraining order. Shelly went to Family Court and filed papers for a temporary restraining order against her husband. That is when Shelly learned about the Shriver project, and received a referral to Levitt & Quinn. When Shelly arrived at our office her face was full of bruises. One of her eyes was completely purple and swollen almost shut from her husband's blows. She was very fearful and did not want to talk much. Little by little we gained her trust and she began to open up about the abuse she suffered.
Levitt & Quinn staff worked to prepare Shelly and her case for hearing. Represented in court by staff attorney Elena Correa, Shelly got her three-year protective order as well as an order for her husband to vacate the family home. Shelly returned to the office completely transformed, smiling, happy, and thankful for the help she received to get safe and start her life anew.
Read more client stories here.
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Brianna Franco is a rising 2L at Loyola Law School. She is a native Spanish speaker with a passion for helping the local low-income and Latino community.
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Levitt and Quinn empowers their clients to deal head on with some of the most difficult situations life has to offer. I am so grateful to have worked for an organization that truly puts the client first and I will carry the lessons that I have learned here at L&Q for the rest of my career."
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Sophie Geha is a junior at University of Puget Sound majoring in U.S. politics and government. She hopes to apply to law school.
"This experience
opened my eyes to the lack of resources many families within my own community have when faced with difficult legal situations. I learned quickly how much our community needs centers such as L&Q and the enormous difference a few dedicated individuals can make."
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Abby Wisen is a junior at Tulane University in New Orleans. She is double majoring in legal studies and Spanish, with aspirations of applying to law school one day.
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As a pre-law major, I was fortunate enough to not only become familiar with the main components of family law, but also immerse myself in the language, court settings and consultations of this field. This opportunity has solidified my decision to continue studying law in a manner that builds my community."
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We have also had the pleasure of working with volunteer attorneys and interpreters as part of our ongoing effort to maximize resources and provide our clients with the best possible service. Here are a few things they shared about working at Levitt & Quinn:
"I had the opportunity to participate and contribute my knowledge to real cases at Levitt & Quinn. The confidence the attorneys had in me made me feel extremely appreciated." --James Lopez,
Interpreter
"I cannot say enough positive words about Levitt & Quinn. The entire staff is warm, caring and accommodating. During intake interviews, I watched as the attorneys tried to make a difference, even if it was something as small as helping someone know they were missing portions of their case file.
"During my time volunteering, a client had an alarming event occur and the staff took action immediately to assist her. The attorneys work together to strategize and better help the clients. They are dedicated to providing high-quality care all within each client's budget. The court system can be daunting without proper guidance, but Levitt & Quinn helps their clients navigate the system and advises them on how to achieve the best possible results. The attorneys and staff dedicate their lives to providing impactful assistance to those in need. Los Angeles is very lucky to have this organization." --Alyssa Van Breene,
Volunteer Attorney
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Levitt & Quinn is hiring!
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Do you know of a development person interested in making a difference in Los Angeles County?
For underserved families in crisis, Levitt & Quinn is the leading provider of legal services and support delivering timely, accessible, and innovative family law services. Our team of dedicated lawyers, legal assistants, and volunteers stabilize families every day, securing orders about custody and support, returning abducted children to their custodial parent, and facilitating adoption of children in need of a safe and permanent home.
We are currently hiring for the position of
Development Manager to help support this work. We also have wonderful
fellowship opportunities
that maximize the unique skills, interests, and experience of law students and recent graduates to best help us meet the needs of our client community.
Volunteer opportunities are also available for evening clinics and more! Visit levittquinn.org/volunteer or contact Volunteer Coordinator Becky Miller at [email protected] to learn more about volunteering with Levitt & Quinn!
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36th Annual Stand for Justice Gala Tickets are ON SALE NOW!
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Our 36th Annual Stand for Justice Gala will take place on Saturday, September 16th, honoring Judge Hank Goldberg, family law attorney Steve Mindel, and First Foundation.
Tickets are going fast,
so do
n't wait! Join our cause
by purchasing tickets to the event and registering for the Silent Auction!
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