FVAP is proud to honor those extraordinary advocates whose contributions have made a lasting impact—on our work, on the appellate profession, and on the broader community committed to justice and safety for survivors of domestic violence. Each of these awardees exemplifies what it means to right wrongs, uphold the law, and ensure that legal protections truly protect those they were designed to serve.

2026 Awards

​Congratulations to
​The R-23s!
2026 ​Best Lawyer Band in the Bay

2nd Place
Cov'r Band

3rd Place
Morgan Lewis & ROCKius

Judges' Choice Award
Morgan Lewis & ROCKius

2025 Awards

​Papa Gibson and the Writs of Replevin
2025 ​Best Lawyer Band in the Bay

2nd Place
The R-23s

3rd Place
Cov'R Band

Judges' Choice Award
Soul Practitioners

Advocacy Champion of the Year
The inspiring individuals who have worked tirelessly to center the needs of domestic violence survivors in their organizational, judicial, or public policy advocacy. These champions truly get it when it comes to survivor needs and the ways in which protections, supports, and opportunities need to be strengthened in the name of survivor justice.

2026: Susan Rubio

In addition to uplifting the needs of survivors in her work in the legislature, Senator Susan Rubio has ensured the voices of survivors are heard as a member of First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s Domestic Violence Advisory Council, the Senate Gun Violence Working Group and the Working Group on Survivors of Sexual Assault. She has championed legislation to enable survivors to seek safety and justice from the courts, including adding coercive control and reproductive coercion to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, working to ensure the juvenile dependency system doesn’t punish domestic violence victims, enacting Piqui’s Law, and fighting for funding and laws so survivors can have a record of what happens at court proceedings.

Senator Rubio has exhibited extreme political bravery, championing the needs of survivors even when politically unpopular, such as authoring SB 662, a bill sponsored by FVAP that would have allowed courts to use existing electronic recording equipment to make a record of a hearing when no court reporter was available. In addition, the senator authored SB 882, the Keep Courts Safe from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Act, which expands access to remote court appearances, and which FVAP is currently co-sponsoring.

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2025: Susan Eggman

Former Senator Susan Eggman's leadership on California’s 2022 SB 1017 Lease Terminations and 2024 SB 1051 Lock Change bills, both of which FVAP proudly co-sponsored, resulted in landmark victories for survivors across the state. Her advocacy exemplifies how powerful change can happen when leaders partner with FVAP to advance justice and safety. Together, we are keeping survivors housed and moving closer to a world without domestic violence.

Thanks to her efforts, California law has changed to:

• expand to allow survivors of domestic violence and other violent acts, who are tenants, to maintain their current housing and avoid eviction, significantly increasing their safety and providing much-needed stability as they heal from trauma; and 
• prohibit landlords from denying housing to someone because of their experience as a survivor. As you are aware, a landlord may no longer deny a tenancy based on poor credit resulting from abuse. Additionally, more survivors now have access to one of California’s critical lock change laws—requiring landlords to change locks when a survivor provides documentation, even if the survivor is not locking out a co-tenant.

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Pro Bono Cup
The fearless law firms who stand with FVAP in our mission to end domestic violence through high quality litigation, social impact, and pro bono collaborations. This firm practices in excellence and has demonstrated their skills and dedication to ensuring survivors get the justice they deserve, regardless of ability to pay. These firms have partnered with FVAP and others to offer pro bono legal work to serve the most vulnerable survivor communities. Their services are truly a bedrock of ensuring justice happens the first time.

2026: Horvitz & Levy, LLP

Since 2018, Horvitz & Levy has been our fierce and fearless partner in standing up for the rights of survivors. Across nearly 3,000 hours of pro bono time and counting, Horvitz has co-counseled with FVAP on numerous appellate cases, assessed cases for appeal, helped us prepare for oral argument in cases, and been a resource for us as the issues survivors face on appeal increase in complexity.

As pro bono co-counsel, Horvitz & Levy has helped secure appellate relief not only for many survivor clients year after year but created published case law* that has been cited repeatedly to help countless survivors at trial and on appeal. In their appellate work on behalf of our clients, Horvitz & Levy pursues innovative approaches that draw effectively upon the full array of legal options to provide relief for survivors throughout the appellate process.

* S.Y. v. Superior Court (2018); Ashby v. Ashby (2021); G.G. v. G.S. (2024); and Navarro v. Cervera (2025)

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2025: Covington and Burling, LLP

Over the past two years, the team at Covington and Burling has worked tirelessly to prepare, file, and successfully advocate for the California Supreme Court to accept an original writ petition on FVAP’s behalf. Such petitions being taken up by the Court are incredibly rare.

This critical project seeks relief from the ongoing court reporter shortage that is denying survivors meaningful access to the courts. Covington and Burling's work included investigating practices across all 58 California county courts, drafting and processing extensive Public Records Act requests, and conducting thorough legal analysis to identify the appropriate respondents for an original writ proceeding. The team also led the development of a compelling legal strategy that resulted in the Supreme Court granting review.

Covington & Burling has led this complex litigation in partnership with co-counsel Community Legal Aid SoCal and co-petitioner Bay Area Legal Aid. As the client in this matter, FVAP is tremendously grateful for the depth of skill, dedication, and partnership their team has demonstrated.

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Volunteer of the Year
A committed individual who has volunteered with FVAP and truly believes in FVAP's mission and the goal of attaining a world free of domestic violence. This person continuously offers their talents and energy to fulfill this mission, champions survivors constantly, and constantly looks for new ways to support survivors. FVAP's ability to make lasting changes for survivor protections would not be possible without volunteers like these. 

2026: Jenn Protas

Jenn Protas has been a steadfast volunteer with FVAP for over a decade — a tenure that spans nearly the entire life of our organization. From FVAP's earliest days, when we were still finding our footing, Jenn was there. That kind of longevity is rare and remarkable, and it speaks volumes about her character. She didn't show up once and move on; she stayed, grew with us, and continued showing up year after year with the same dedication and care she brought from the very beginning.

As FVAP's outside employment counsel, Jenn’s expert legal guidance has allowed us to operate with confidence, clarity, and integrity. Because of her service, we have been able to navigate complex organizational decisions, protect our staff, and build the kind of institutional strength that makes our mission sustainable. FVAP is a stronger, more agile organization because she chose to lend her expertise to our cause. Whatever the task, Jenn is deeply principled and genuinely mission-driven—protecting survivors requires not only great lawyering in the courtroom, but strong, values-aligned organizations doing the work.

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2025: Erin Smith

FVAP Cofounder Erin Smith's unwavering dedication, time, and legal expertise have helped transform the landscape of justice for domestic violence survivors. Since stepping down as Executive Director, she has continued to be an extraordinary advocate. From urging the State Bar of California to formally recognize survivors of domestic violence as a critically underserved and underfunded population, to stepping in at a pivotal moment in our original writ petition to the California Supreme Court, she has shown what it means to be a true champion for systemic change.

Erin's most recent efforts in the writ petition matter were especially impactful. She took the lead in soliciting and coordinating amicus support. Once the Court granted review, Erin worked with over 30 organizations and experts, resulting in 14 powerful briefs filed in support of the petition. This outcome simply would not have been possible without her leadership, deep relationships, and unrelenting commitment to justice.

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Photo Courtesy of Breslow Imaging/Cathy Breslow