Restoration and Justice Clinic Secures Victory for Domestic Violence Client

On November 17, students in the Restoration and Justice Clinic successfully helped a domestic violence survivor obtain a five-year restraining order at the Santa Monica Courthouse, securing vital protection after a decade of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. 

Court-certified, third-year law students Sasha Codiga and Iren Ananyan represented the client in court. Codiga and Ananyan worked alongside Krist DeMarco and Brigitte Ahrens to prepare for the final hearing. Students collaborated to manage the case from initial intake, filing a request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order, effectuating personal service on a transient Respondent, and prepared a full evidentiary hearing including multiple witnesses and exhibits. 

In the Restoration and Justice Clinic, students represent victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault and other gender-based crimes. The Clinic's approach to gender-based violence cases is a holistic one, encompassing civil and criminal law remedies and advocacy to ensure that the survivor's legal needs are met. The Clinic is housed in the law school but partners with legal and social service agencies in Southern California to facilitate comprehensive services for our clients and to provide experiences in multidisciplinary practice for our students.

For more information on experiential learning at Pepperdine Caruso Law, please visit Restoration and Justice Clinic.