An Update from Moore & Van Allen’s Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project
Over the last year, the Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project at Moore & Van Allen (“MVA”) has assisted victims of human trafficking in approximately forty matters, ranging from victim-witness advocacy, to addressing victims’ criminal records, to assistance with immigration and family law matters. Due to MVA’s approach to this pro bono service, the Project has been invited to present at or participate in several events including the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault Conference, the national Pro Bono Institute Annual Conference, and the Mid-Atlantic Anti-Trafficking Network Roundtable. The Project recently received the Junior League of Charlotte 2014-2015 Outstanding Community Partner award for co-hosting several trainings including those geared towards school personnel and attorneys.
Project leaders Sarah Byrne and Sally Hentz continue to serve on the U.S. Attorney-led Charlotte Metropolitan Human Trafficking Task Force and through that work helped to develop programming for Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Byrne recently presented to the Mecklenburg County Commission about the work of the Task Force.
In great news, several attorneys from other law firms have asked to join MVA’s volunteer pool so the project's capacity to assist victims has increased. MVA will be hosting a Continuing Legal Education course on trafficking-specific-PTSD for Project volunteers on July 22nd at 9:30am.
For questions about MVA’s Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project, please contact Sarah Byrne at (704) 331-3794.