Milbank Partner Allan Marks Joins Board of Family Violence Appellate Project

LOS ANGELES, January 14, 2016 – Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP partner Allan Marks has been named to the board of directors of the Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to appealing cases on behalf of domestic violence survivors and their children by helping them obtain effective appellate representation. Mr. Marks, resident in Milbank’s Los Angeles office, began his term on the board in January 2016.

The Family Violence Appellate Project’s goal is to empower victims and survivors of domestic violence through the court system to ensure that they and their children can live in safe and healthy environments. As many victims of domestic violence have had poor or no representation in the trial courts and are not aware that they can appeal their cases or may not have resources to appeal, FVAP found there is little appellate precedent for trial courts to follow. As a result, some trial courts often do not always rigorously enforce key statutes designed to protect victims from abusers. In identifying cases that are likely to result in the appellate courts rendering decisions that advance the interests of domestic violence survivors throughout California, FVAP's experts work with pro bono attorneys from the private sector to provide the highest quality legal representation in briefing and arguing those cases to the appellate courts. FVAP has achieved significant legal victories – prevailing in 100% of the appeals they have defended.

“Even as a young organization, FVAP has filled a critical gap to enable domestic violence survivors to assert and protect their rights at the appellate level in California courts,” said Milbank partner Allan Marks. “As the organization expands its presence in Southern California, I am happy to play a role with other directors, supporters and staff to build on FVAP’s track record of success and to further its mission.”

Mr. Marks is consistently ranked as one of the world’s leading project finance lawyers by Chambers Global, IFLR and Legal500. Mr. Marks was also selected by The Daily Journal as one of California’s “Top 50 Development Lawyers.” He is the founding co-chair of the sub-section on public-private infrastructure of the State Bar of California. During his 25 year career at Milbank, he has advised on numerous pro bono matters and currently serves as the firm’s pro bono liaison to Bet Tzedek and other pro bono legal service providers in Los Angeles. He is an adjunct professor at the University of California, Berkeley Law School and the Haas School of Business. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the East Bay Community Law Center and also serves on the Leadership Board and Executive Committee of MoveLA, a nonprofit advocate for expanded mass transit.

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