Biography
Stephanie Penrod is the Managing Attorney at the Family Violence Law Center (FVLC) in Oakland, CA, which provides free crisis and legal services in civil restraining order, limited family and housing law matters, and Title IX administrative proceedings for survivors of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault in Alameda County. Since the onset of the pandemic, FVLC observed a 37% increase in crisis line calls over the fourth quarter, a notable increase in the severity of violence reported, and a growing need for direct financial and housing support resulting from pandemic-related unemployment and lost wages. As FVLC’s Managing Attorney, Stephanie supervises all legal staff and volunteers; oversees legal intake, case assessment and litigation strategy; develops, implements, monitors and reports on all legal program activities; and provides regular trainings to outside agencies on domestic violence and the law. Stephanie originally joined FVLC as a staff attorney and Mobile Response Team advocate and has over twelve years of experience providing legal representation and direct support services to survivors. Stephanie graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Organizational Development and Women’s Studies and holds a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.