COSTA MESA, Calif., March 12, 2012 – Proud Usahacharoenporn and Eliot Houman, two first-year attorneys at Rutan & Tucker LLP, Orange County’s largest full-service law firm, were victorious recently in a domestic violence trial involving two clients of Laura’s House, a Ladera Ranch-based domestic violence prevention agency.
The attorneys represented a mother and her four-year-old child in a case that included physical and verbal abuse, and destruction of personal property against the mother by the child’s father. A seasoned family law attorney represented the father.
The judge found that domestic violence had occurred and issued a domestic violence restraining order protecting the client from the father. The father was ordered to stay no less than 100 yards away from mother and to attend and complete anger management classes. Most recently, the attorneys convinced a judge to deny the father’s request to be physically present at the mother’s deposition.
“We deeply appreciate the attorneys of Rutan & Tucker for donating their time and resources to represent a client of Laura’s House,” said Margaret Bayston, executive director of the nonprofit. “Pro bono representation is an area of critical need for victims of domestic violence who are in need of restraining order protection and makes a lasting difference in the lives of our clients and their children.”
“We commend Eliot and Proud for giving their time and talents to achieve an important victory for their clients that provides safety from harm and peace of mind,” said Mark B. Frazier, a partner and head of the firm’s Trial Section.
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About Laura’s House
Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 battered women and children, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse. More information on the programs and services offered by Laura’s House is available at www.laurashouse.org.
About Rutan & Tucker LLP
Rutan & Tucker is California’s largest full-service law firm headquartered in Orange County, California with offices in Costa Mesa and Palo Alto. Primary practice areas include business and real estate litigation, corporate and securities law, labor and employment law, intellectual property, real estate, municipal and government agency law, land use law, bankruptcy