Restoration and Justice Clinic Wins in Second District California Court of Appeal

September 4, 2018 | On behalf of a domestic violence victim, the Restoration and Justice Clinic secured a victory in the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District. Clinic alumnus and recent graduate, Armando Lopez (JD '18) presented the oral argument under California's certified law student practice rule. The appellate court affirmed the judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County judge, who granted the clinic's client a three-year domestic violence restraining order after a contested trial, which was conducted by Amber Fields (JD' 17) and Kristina Hess (JD '17).

"This is a huge victory," clinic director and professor Tanya Cooper said, "because the appellate court held that there was substantial evidence of abuse, and the abuser had not overcome the mandatory prohibition against possessing a firearm while the restraining order is in effect. The law and public policy are clear, and today our client is safe and extremely relieved."