Since the summer of 2014, Jerome Crawford has had the pleasure and honor of serving in the Detroit IMPACT Motion to Terminate Project. As a volunteer, Jerome defends personal protection orders (PPOs) against a respondent’s motion to terminate.
Recently, Jerome prepared a defense for an individual who sought to keep a PPO against her abusive and estranged husband. Despite delay and difficulty—the parties were moved to three different courtrooms and the judge’s chambers before finally being heard—Jerome successfully defended the PPO.
Jerome says that “the greatest joy received in this victory was the relief on my client’s face as she felt a sense of safety and empowerment.”
Jerome had the following to say about his experience: “Appearing in a courtroom to advocate before a judge can be a nerve-racking experience, even for attorneys. This pressure increases even more for pro se parties since they fear the opposing party. The Detroit IMPACT Motion to Terminate Project allows attorneys like myself to alleviate some of the challenges faced by these domestic violence survivors and provide strength on a day they most need it. To whom much is given, much is required; thus, as lawyers I believe we possess an inherent duty to use our platform for the benefit of others.”
The Detroit IMPACT Motion to Terminate Project is a part of a national collaboration of projects to expand national law firm pro bono efforts to increase access to justice, led by the Association of Pro Bono Counsel (APBCo). The Detroit IMPACT Project is a joint effort of several law firms and Legal Aid and Defender Association to represent domestic violence survivors seeking PPOs in Wayne County. The goal of Project is to provide counsel for survivors/petitioners to defend the PPO against a motion to terminate filed by the batterer/respondent. Before this project was initiated, nearly all domestic violence survivors went to these motions unrepresented, terrified at the prospect of standing next to their abuser and explaining the history between the parties, while not knowing whether they would be protected going forward.
The matters are heard in the City County Building, courtroom 1801 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Volunteer counsel are trained regarding the legal basis for obtaining a PPO and the basis on which a respondent/batterer may challenge a PPO. Counsel are typically required to present argument regarding why the PPO should remain in effect. Counsel is sometimes asked to provide direct testimony from the survivor or enter evidence to substantiate the claims of abuse (e.g., cell phone records, pictures). At the end of argument, the court issues a ruling and order. Upon entry of the order, the hearing and engagement are complete. If you would like to volunteer please contact Heidi Naasko, pro bono counsel at Dykema at hnaasko@dykema.com
Jerome is an associate attorney at Dickinson Wright PLLC. His practice focuses primarily on the areas of commercial litigation, intellectual property (copyright and trademark law), corporate, and entertainment/sports law. Jerome spent his entire educational tenure in the state of Michigan, attending Renaissance High School and Michigan State University for both undergrad and law school. During law school, he served in numerous roles including vice president of the Black Law Students Association for two years, director of entertainment for the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, and executive director of the trial side of Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Board.
In addition to his practice, Jerome is former associate of Oakland County Bar Association’s Inns of Court, a member of the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan executive council, serves on the board of directors for both the Wolverine Bar Association and the MSU College of Law Alumni Association. Since 2014, Jerome has served as a member of the State Bar of Michigan Character and Fitness Committee for District I as well. He is a member of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s Scholars Program and on the State Bar of Michigan Arts, Communications, Entertainment, & Sports Section executive council. He is also treasurer for Greater Loving Word Church International.
—Benjamin Ensroth (Robert Mathis and Lynn Ingram contributed to this story.;