Heather Britton Email & Phone Number

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Collaborate with the courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other community partners across three counties to improve our coordinated community response to the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Coordinate community-based trainings and meetings and ensure compliance with grant funding dedicated to this end. Supervise a team of legal advocates who help survivors of these crimes navigate the civil and criminal justice systems. Assist clients in filing for protection orders, custody, and divorce, and accompany them to court proceedings. Serve on the agency's internal Social Justice Committee.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Led a team of paralegals dedicated to eliminating court system-based barriers to permanency for dependent children in out-of-home care. Provided training and technical assistance to county children and youth agency staff, attorneys, social service providers, educators, and judges to help improve legal processes and compliance with child welfare law. Developed and delivered trainings on racial equity and social justice, improving educational outcomes for dependent children, and best practice in family search and engagement. Wrote articles on diversity and best practice topics for Voce and SWAN publications. Served as the co-chair of Voce's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Council from Oct. 2021 - Sept. 2022.The Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network is a state contract administered by Voce in partnership with Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries. Voce was formerly known as Family Design Resources, Inc.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Drafted and filed petitions and motions for all dependency and orphans’ court proceedings. Prepared subpoenas, timelines, and exhibits, and coordinated witnesses in preparation for hearings. Collaborated with court personnel to schedule hearings, file documents, and ensure the accuracy of case data. Researched and wrote legal memoranda and correspondence. Developed and implemented the county’s Diligent Search protocol. Conducted searches for parents, relatives and kin. Served on the Diversity, Diligent Search, and LSI Steering Committees, and the Union-Snyder Children’s Roundtable.

San Francisco, California, United States

Taught AP English Literature and Honors Sophomore English. Served as the Costume and Props director for the school's drama productions.

Alameda, California, United States

Taught freshmen and sophomore English classes. Served as the InterAct Club moderator (youth division of Rotary International) and on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) re-accreditation committee.

San Francisco, California, United States

Performed research and prepared court documents and witness files for Williams v. California, a class action lawsuit advocating for equal access to quality education for California's most disadvantaged public school students (see https://decentschools.org/). Provided support on cases involving marriage equality, asylum, probate and securities matters. Received The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights 2002 Anthony F. Logan Award for outstanding contributions to public interest law by a paralegal. I also worked here from June 1997 through August 1998, and June through August 1999.

Concord, California, United States

Researched legal issues related to advocacy for prosecutorial witnesses in criminal domestic violence cases. Compiled findings to create a legal handbook for use in training victim-witness advocates. Performed research on changes in domestic violence legislation and case law, and drafted reports to be used in law enforcement and victim-witness advocate training. Assisted victims of domestic violence in obtaining restraining orders, child custody and support, and divorce. Represented clients in civil restraining order hearings as a certified law student, and advocated for victim-witnesses during criminal proceedings.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, English And Women'S Studies

American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence

Activities and Societies: Vice President, Hastings Public Interest Law Foundation Founding Member, Hastings Community Outreach Mentoring.

Credential, Secondary English Education

Includes student teaching at Westmoor High School (Daly City, CA) from Nov. 2004 - June 2005 where I was the assistant coach of the Mock.