TBTN Legal Team Membership Form

Law Firm or Attorney Information

As a member of the TBTN Legal Team, your law firm will receive the following listed benefits provided by TBTNF.

1. Case Acquisition and Referrals

• TBTNF’s Legal Support Hotline receives hundreds of calls annually from potential victims, and our Intake Form is also completed by hundreds of people seeking legal representation for their cases. Your firm will receive the opportunity to take the cases directly, as co-council or Pro Hoc Vice based on your ability to practice law in a particular jurisdiction.  Your firm can decline any case.
• TBTNF has a lead firm responsible for the 24-7 answering service and intake form response. Your firm will be contacted by this firm about each case opportunity. Referral fees apply.

2. Credibility as a Trauma Informed Law Firm

• Be known for your standard of care in providing trauma-informed legal support and safety for victims of sexual violence and gender-based discrimination.
• Ability to display the TBTN Seal of Victim-Centered Care for the TBTN Legal Team on your website, social media, and marketing materials.

3. Visibility and Marketing Support

• TBTNF lists your firm on our website.
• TBTNF provides your firm with at least two marketing opportunities from the following:
  • Social Media Post about your firm on our platforms
  • Reel or TikTok video post about your firm on our platforms
  • Article written by your firm published in our newsletter
  • Guest speaking spot on one of our two annual Global Virtual Events
  • Presentation time to our Chapters and Members during our scheduled trainings and meetings

4. Partnership with Law School TBTN Chapters

• TBTNF has Chapters at Law Schools such as the University of Pittsburgh and Ohio State University. We are continuing to establish more Chapters. Member firms will be recommended to our law school members for becoming volunteers and interns with your firm.

5. Policy and Law Advocacy

• Firm has the opportunity to partner with TBTNF in its work to improve access to and adequacy of justice for all survivors of any form of gender based violence, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape through changing state and federal laws regarding such issues as statutes of limitations, restrictions on restitution, and scope of protection for victims and victims’ rights.

6. Expert Witness Support    

• Ability to contact TBTNF for connections to highly qualified expert witnesses in the areas of sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, school policy, standards of care, standards for supervision of minors, standards for training on boundaries and sexual misconduct, and standards for appropriate response to third party reports of sexual misconduct.

6. Charitable Support for TBTNF

• Your firm directly contributes to the mission and activities of Take Back The Night Foundation, the oldest global organization working to end sexual violence and support survivors.

The TBTN Legal Team Commitment and Standard of Care 

for Victim-Centered Support and Trauma-Informed Interactions

Law Firms displaying the Take Back The Night Foundation’s “TBTN Legal Team” seal are committed to ensuring survivors of sexual violence in any form are provided with trauma-informed support and legal services that are respectful of their experience and healing process.  These firms agree to: 

1. Maintain a practice of inclusion and respect.
   1. Welcome prospective clients of any demographic identity, including gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, etc.
   2. Encourage prospective clients to let them know about any special needs or questions they may have at any time.
   3. Ensure tissues and water are available to those interacting with their firm during in-person meetings.
   4. Ensure restroom options are available for those who do not identify as male or female.
2. Provide a safe and comfortable experience.
   1. Honor each survivor’s place in their healing journey and respect that every person heals on their own timeline.
   2. Refrain from physical contact, such as hugs, with prospective clients and clients unless the person clearly and expressly indicates they are comfortable with physical contact. 
   3. Provide the option to take a break at any time in discussions, questioning, interviews, and other communications. This option is shared at the beginning of any verbal communication, whether via phone, FaceTime, Zoom, or in person.
   4. Ensure in-person meetings are conducted in spaces that provide confidentiality while maintaining options for transparency.
   5. Ensure meetings are conducted with the option for any prospective client or client to bring along a support person.
3. Provide options prioritizing the well-being of the survivor and their empowerment.
   1. Honor any survivor’s need to take a break or slow the pace of a case based on their mental and physical well-being.
   2. Provide as many options to the survivor as possible, including options that may not maximize the financial profit for the firm.
   3. Prioritize and respect the informed decisions of each survivor.
   4. Provide the TBTNF list of resources and support options to each survivor whether or not their case is taken by the firm.
   5. Refrain from taking cases in which a conflict of interest may occur for the survivor, such as representing both the victim and defendant in a sexual abuse case.

TBTN Legal Team Donation