Thursday, September 22, 2022 6:00 - 8:00 PM VICTIM RIGHTS LAW CENTER presents 11 Beacon Street, Suite 520, Boston, MA 02108 610 SW Broadway, Suite 308, Portland, OR 97205
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER.
THE VICTIM RIGHTS LAW CENTER: WHO WE ARE
We are the first. The VRLC is the first nonprofit law center in the country solely focused on the legal needs of sexual assault survivors. We are the national model of civil legal intervention in rape and sexual assault cases. We help individuals. In 2021-2022 our staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys in Massachusetts and Oregon represented over 1,000 sexual assault survivors in just under 2,000 legal issues in the areas of privacy, safety, K-12 education, campus sexual assault, immigration, employment, housing, financial stability, and criminal justice advocacy. We advocate. The VRLC is a leader in the anti-sexual violence movement. We collaborate with local and national policy makers to elevate survivors’ voices and priorities. We train other professionals. VRLC attorneys provide trainings to local and national organizations. Our attorneys are in high demand to train on topics such as privacy, campus sexual assault, and the legal needs of survivors. Last year, we trained over 5,000 professionals to help improve the response to sexual violence nationwide. We need your help. The VRLC receives federal and state funding; however, we rely on the support of individuals like you to ensure that we can meet survivors’ needs. The Shining Star Gala is our largest fundraising initiative of the year with 100% of event proceeds supporting the VRLC’s mission to provide legal assistance to sexual assault survivors. We hope this event inspires you to invest your money and time to help survivors. Please donate and volunteer.
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The past few years have been tumultuous for everyone, and survivors are no exception.
VRLC attorneys have continued to provide free, traumainformed legal assistance to survivors virtually and in-person, prioritizing survivors’ safety and privacy while they navigate the aftermath of sexual violence. The priority legal needs have been education, employment, immigration, and housing. For over 19 years, our staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys have represented thousands of sexual assault survivors. Our team of experts has trained tens of thousands of professionals to ensure that individuals, institutions, and the legal system more effectively and fairly approach the issue of sexual assault. Together, we celebrate the dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and valued partnerships who have been an integral part of our work.
Access to a free civil attorney can help ensure that survivors safely stay in (or change) schools; protect survivors’ privacy; preserve employment; sustain safe housing; secure or maintain immigration status; and access other benefits that will help a survivor stabilize and rebuild their lives.
Tonight, we gather to support the critical work of the VRLC and to recognize the efforts of the extraordinary awardees. The VRLC is proud to be leading nationally and serving locally. Your ongoing support means the world to survivors and to us. Together, we give survivors hope. In Stacygratitude,Malone, Esq. Executive Director @VictimRightsLaw
- 3Dear WelcomeFriends,tothe
Victim Rights Law Center’s Shining Star Gala! We are so excited to be with you in-person tonight.
Sexual assault can devastate and derail an individual’s life. The impact is long-lasting – months, years, sometimes even a lifetime. While the criminal justice system is one response, it cannot be the only response.
Krista Green Pratt, Co-Chair Spectra A. I. Asala Marybeth Burke
Rebecca
VRLC STAFF Moire Balsam Malia Bennett Mary
Lizzie
Birgitta
SharaStephanieMcKenzieNoraElizabethKatrinaDarcyEberlyFaganGrais-ClementsHarkerHoltJones
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Stacy CarolErikaIzabellaJessicaJaneCarlyCorneliusMaloneMcGarryMeeMerrickMindlinPereiraRajkovićSchrader
Jessica
Aileen Konanez
Risa CourtneyJocelynBurgessKeiderKeller KathrynElizabethLangMartinMurtagh
Karen MaeganBrendaAndreaO’MalleyRobinsonShartonWilkinson
Michelle
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chasen, Co-Chair
Charlotte Cipolletti Dickerson Hunpatin Sofia Hussain Brett Mirliani Sini Ngobese
Daria KelseyTiaraRobinAmandaGiselaRuthDaniellaSowellStoltzVaughanVerdejaWalshWhitneyWilliamsWorline
Lauren
SHINING STAR GALA COMMITTEE Anderson ElizabethBeaudoinBoates
- 5SHINING STAR GALA PROGRAM WELCOME Stacy Malone, Esq. Executive Director CHAMPION AWARD Sullivan & Worcester LLP SHINING STAR AWARD Katharine Foote, Esq. LEADERSHIP AWARD Michele Bratcher Goodwin VISIONARY AWARD Gymnast Sexual Assault Survivors, accepted by Rachenda Rockwell COURAGE AWARD VRLC Client CALL TO ACTION CLOSING REMARKS
2022 CHAMPION AWARD: Sullivan & Worcester LLP
ABOUT OUR HONOREES
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International law firm Sullivan & Worcester specializes in a diverse range of issues, including investment management, cutting edge REITs and opportunity zones, blockchain ventures and international tech SullivanIPOs.& Worcester has been a VRLC pro bono partner for several years. Their attorneys support sexual assault survivors by providing pro bono legal representation for VRLC clients throughout Massachusetts. This year, at a time when many survivors needed emergency assistance, they represented an average of one survivor a month with a protection order, securing the safety of those survivors who would not have otherwise had attorneys due to the VRLC’s capacity. They rose to the challenge in difficult cases, including a complex motion to modify and terminate an order and representing young survivors.
Katharine Foote is an associate at Mintz where she focuses her practice on complex commercial, appellate, and securities litigation, and criminal defense. She guides clients through shareholder disputes, derivative litigation, appraisal litigation, class action lawsuits, and fiduciary litigation. She runs Mintz’s pro bono Domestic Violence Project. Katharine began volunteering with the VRLC in 2019. On behalf of the VRLC, she submitted an amicus brief on what survivors need to prove to protect themselves from eviction under the Violence Against Women Act. She has also been representing a child survivor in a complex protection of records case for the last two years to ensure that the child’s privacy would be protected from the perpetrator. Katharine recently argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to help protect the young survivor’s privacy. She is a fierce advocate.
2022 SHINING STAR AWARD: Katharine Foote, Esq.
Dr. Michele Bratcher Goodwin is an acclaimed bioethicist, constitutional law scholar, and prolific author. Author/editor of six books, her award-winning work, Policing The Womb: Invisible Women and the Criminalization of Motherhood, explores how state abuse laws infringe on individual rights to police women and their pregnancies. Dr. Goodwin is a Chancellor’s Professor at the University of California, Irvine and founding director of the Center for Biotechnology and Global Health Policy. Dr. Goodwin directed the first ABA-accredited health law program in the nation and established the first law center focused on race and bioethics. She is a 2022 Margaret Brent Award Honoree of the American Bar Association, an award in honor of the first woman lawyer in the United States. Her constitutional law scholarship appears in several distinguished legal journals including Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, Chicago Law Review and Cornell Law Review. She is an Executive Committee member of the ACLU and American Constitution Society. A sought-after public commentator, Dr. Goodwin is the Executive Producer of Ms. Studios, and host of the popular podcast at Ms. Magazine: On The Issues with Michele Goodwin. Dr. Goodwin’s extensive work can be found in media outlets, including Politico, Salon.com, Forbes, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, Chicago Sun-Times, Vox, Mother Jones; ABC News; NBC News; and NPR. Dr. Goodwin is the 2022 Leadership Awardee for her exceptional accomplishments which have made an incredible impact on the anti-sexual violence movement.
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2022 LEADERSHIP AWARD: Michele Bratcher Goodwin
2022 VISIONARY AWARD: The Gymnast Sexual Assault Survivors,
Accepted by Rachenda Rockwell Rachenda Rockwell was a USA Gymnastics TOPs national team member who, as a child, competed as an elite gymnast dreaming of becoming an Olympian. Rachenda’s dreams were cut short by former team physician Larry Nassar who sexually abused her under the guise of medical treatment, which resulted in Rachenda quitting gymnastics at age 13. Rachenda is among the hundreds of gymnast sexual assault survivors who filed claims against Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Olympic Committee for failing to protect them from Nassar’s serial sexual abuse of children. Rachenda is accepting the 2022 Visionary Award on behalf of the Gymnast Sexual Assault Survivors. This award was established in honor of the VRLC’s founder, Susan Vickers, and is presented to an individual or group whose work on behalf of sexual assault survivors evidence exceptional vision and determination and serves as an inspiration to others.
This award is given to a VRLC client who is a survivor who has gone on to champion the interest of others and/or thrived in the aftermath of sexual violence.
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2022 COURAGE AWARD
2010: Greg Sieczkiewicz 2009: Erin K. Higgins 2008: Krista Green Pratt 2007: Rebecca Cazabon 2006: Helen G. Guyton 2005: Paula Finley Mangum 2004: Mintz 2003: Brenda Sharton 2002: Kristin Hartman
PAST SHINING STAR RECIPIENTS
PAST LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
Chanel Miller, Author, Artist, Activist Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, Attorneys Kristen Gibbons Feden, Attorney Martha Coakley, Former MA Attorney General Susan Estrich, Political Analyst Anita Hill, Professor Katie Hnida, NCAA Football Player Ashley Judd, Actress Diane Patrick, Former First Lady of MA Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Rosenthal, Former White House Advisor on Violence Against Women Liz Seccuro, Author Gloria Steinem, Writer, Lecturer, Activist Niki Tsongas, Former U.S. Congresswoman The Boston Globe, Spotlight Team
2021: Tiffany Davidson 2019: Kristin Knuuttila 2018: Jeremy Meisinger 2017: Michael Harriman 2016: Kent Sinclair 2015: Jessica Walsh 2014: Jonathan R. Allen 2013: Eric Haskell 2012: Thomas R. Ayres 2011: Chris Vaughn-Martel
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CALL TO ACTION
$2,500 = STOP IMMIGRANT ABUSE: Pays for an attorney to represent an immigrant who has been targeted for sexual violence.
$100 = HELP IS HERE: Pays for a VRLC attorney to conduct a comprehensive intake interview with a victim to identify legal solutions. Let a survivor know that the VRLC is here to help!
$500 = SAFE CHILDREN: Pays for an attorney to help one elementary, middle, or high school student stay safely engaged in their education and participate in extracurricular activities.
$250 = LEADING THE WAY: Pays for a VRLC attorney to train other professionals on how to improve the response to sexual violence locally and nationally.
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$5,000 = COURT RESPONSE: Pays for a sexual assault victim to have a lawyer by their side every step of the way.
$1,000 = END RAPE ON CAMPUS: Pays for an attorney to represent one college student who was sexually assaulted. We cannot let victims drop out of school and perpetrators go on to graduate unscathed.
MicheleSHININGSTARSSTARSandHowardKessler
Eric MacLeish Anonymous Marybeth Burke and Sam Lambroza
(as
Deb and Steve Marcus
Al Tringali and StacyBrendaMaloneand Rick Sharton
- 11THANK YOU TO OUR GALA SPONSORS! ROCK
Karen O’Malley and Michael Feldman Georgia Murray and Mark Maloney of August 25, 2022)
SHOOTING STARS and Allan Chasen Sofia Hussain
Rebecca
- 12Andrea Robinson and Jonathan Talamo Cindy Vreeland Maegan and PJ Wilkinson
- 13RISING STARS Spectra A. I. Asala Doreen Binder Birch Hill Investment Advisors Cane Systems, LLC KristaMcCarterFeldmanDeloitteGeospatialAnneFlinkFTIConsultingHarrimanLawRobertInsoliaJacksonLewisP.C.&English,LLPKathrynI.MurtaghGreenPrattandJoshPrattChristopherPrice
- 14STAR BURSTS Michelle Anderson Ankura Consulting Group Anonymous BIDMC, Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery Charlotte Cipolletti Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP Cornerstone Research Gretchen and Nicholas Covino Birgitta Dickerson and James Crowley Bill Dillon Eastern Bank FoundationCharitable Floyd Advisory Goulston & Storrs Elizabeth Hunpatin Carol and Dennis Kanin Andrea Kramer Jeff Larson New England Private Wealth Claire Newton and Edward Maloney O’Connor Professional Group Advisors, LLC Raj and Lori Pathak Pathways for Change, Inc. Estie Rappaport and Neil Aresty Janice and Kevin Roden Madeleine Rodriguez and Francisco Morales Ilene Seidman Susan Vickers and Clint Fondo
- 15IN-KIND DONORS
goodwinlaw.com Goodwin is proud to sponsor the 2022 Shining Star Gala We congratulate this year’s awardees and celebrate the Victim Rights Law Center’s mission to support victims of sexual assault and meet their legal needs
Eric MacLeish PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE VICTIM RIGHTS LAW CENTER Knuuttila www.knuuttilalaw.comLaw Gregg, Hunt, Ahern & Embry www.ghaelaw.com Kristin Knuuttila Pursuing justice for child sexual abuse survivors Together. Birch Hill is proud to sponsor the 2022 Shining Star Gala WWW.BHBOSTON.COM
© 2022 Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr llp wilmerhale.com WilmerHale proudly supports the Victim Rights Law Center’s 2022 Shining Star Gala. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller Dechert is a proud sponsor of the Victim Rights Law Center’s 2022 Shining Star Gala Congratulations to this year’s distinguished honorees. ddechert.com
We are glad to support the VRLC staff in their dedication to survivors
Georgia Murray and Mark Maloney
EmVision is proud to help tell survivors' stories. www.em.vision
PROUDLY APPLAUDS THE Victim Rights Law Center for its impact on the Massachusetts community. Congratulations to the 2022 Shining Star Gala awardees. AMERICA • ASIA PACIFIC • sidley.comEUROPE
SIDLEY
We honor the work of the Victim Rights Law Center. You listen, you believe, and you offer a path forward. “All theofflowersthetomorrows are in the seeds of today.” – Indian Proverb Attorney Advertising - Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603. +1 312 853 7000. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. MN-18427
With glowing admiration for the work of the VRLC and for the sparkling light that is Stacy Malone. Steve and Deb Marcus In deep appreciation for making the world a better place for survivors, Marybeth Burke and Sam Lambroza Action.Compassion.Impact Seyfarth is deeply committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work. We are proud to support the work of Victim Rights Lawwww.seyfarth.comCenter.©2022 Seyfarth Shaw LLP #22-8380 R2
In deep appreciation for making the world a better place for survivors, Marybeth Burke and Sam Lambroza ROPES & GRAY is proud to support Victim Rights Law Center’s Shining Star Gala We congratulate this evening’s honorees. ropesgray.com Attorney Advertising © 2022 Ropes & Gray LLP.
Boston London Angeles San © 2022 Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Karen O’Malley and Michael Feldman
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some -Mayastyle.”Angelou
Francisco | Washington
| New York San Diego |
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| Los
&JusticeHope mintz.com
Deepest thanks to the amazing work done by the VRLC to assist survivors in thriving, and always doing so with the deepest compassion and passion for justice. We are so grateful for the good work you do.
Information herein may be considered attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We are proud to support the Victim Rights Law Center and to join in saluting this year’s awardees, including our own Katharine Foote, recipient of the 2022 Shining Star Award.
We proudly support the VRLC and its mission to help rebuild the lives of sexual assault survivors. Casner & Edwards, llp 303 Congress Street | Boston, MA 02210 617.426.5900 www.casneredwards.com EmVision is proud to help tell survivor's stories. Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” Ryunosuke Satoro Rebecca & Allan Chasen are proud to support the VRLC. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, llp manatt.com weTogethermake difference.a Manatt proudly supports the Victim Rights Law Center.
Foley Hoag proudly supports The Victim Rights Law Center and congratulates the 2022 awardees. Michele Goodwin Leadership Award The Gymnast Sexual Assault Survivors Visionary Award Katharine Foote Shining Star Award Sullivan & Worcester Champion Award VICTIM RIGHTS LAW CENTER We are proud to support the and the 2022 Shining Star Gala www.morganlewis.com © 2022 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP LOSLONDONKANSASHOUSTONHARTFORDDENVERCHICAGOBOSTONATLANTACITYANGELES WASHINGTON,TAMPAST.SEATTLESANPHILADELPHIAORANGENEWMIAMIYORKCOUNTYFRANCISCOLOUISD.C. Shook is proud to support the StarShining2022Gala. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
THANK YOU TO OUR MYSTERY BOX DONORS!
Thank you to The Victim Rights Law Center for opening up a world of possibilities. Michele and Howard Kessler
www.victimrights.org 100% of event proceeds support VRLC’s mission of providing legal assistance to sexual assault survivors. HELP US REACH $20,000 TONIGHT! Support survivors by texting “VRLC2022” to 44-321. You’ll receive a link on your phone to complete your donation on our campaign page. You can also scan the QRC Code below to donate. Wi-Fi NETWORKS: Eccguest1, Eccguest2, or Eccguest3 PASSWORD: eccguest
