In The News

Domestic Violence - Mintz Levin Attorney Named Chief Counsel for the National Network to End Domestic Violence

Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Appointment Demonstrates Exceptional Commitment to Pro Bono Work on Behalf of Women and Children

WASHINGTON-- LAWFUEL - The Law Newswire --In recognition of her outstanding service Helen Gerostathos Guyton has been named chief counsel for the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). Gerostathos Guyton, an associate at the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., will provide pro bono legal assistance to NNEDV to ensure the needs of domestic violence victims are reflected in the nation’s public policies, laws and court decisions.

“For more than 10 years, Mintz Levin has provided NNEDV with much needed guidance and support to solidify our leadership role in the movement to end domestic violence. We are honored to have Helen continue this legacy by serving as our new chief counsel,” said Sue Else, NNEDV President. “Helen has worked tirelessly to strengthen victims’ access to justice and been instrumental in amplifying their voices in key court cases.”

In 2006, Gerostathos Guyton and attorneys at Mintz Levin filed an amicus brief in Davis v. Washington, prompting the U.S. Supreme Court to recognize that domestic violence “is a crime notoriously susceptible to intimidation or coercion” and that courts must protect the integrity of their proceedings when a defendant claims the right to confront an unavailable witness (and look into the circumstances of unavailability). Most recently, Gerostathos Guyton filed an amicus brief in the case Ohio v. Carswell, urging the Ohio Supreme Court to uphold the state’s domestic violence statutes in the wake of the state’s Defense of Marriage Amendment.

“NNEDV's partnership with Mintz Levin is only strengthened by the appointment of Helen Gerostathos Guyton as our new chief counsel,” added Mary Lauby, Board Chair of NNEDV and Executive Director of Jane Doe – The Massachusetts Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “Her victims' rights orientation has been instrumental in our work in Massachusetts to close the gap for victims. Helen has led the way to expand access to a criminally enforceable restraining order for victims of sexual assault and stalking. Her history of advocacy and leadership on domestic and sexual violence policy issues will be a tremendous asset to NNEDV's national agenda.”

Gerostathos Guyton has provided more than 1,000 hours of pro bono legal support to domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy organizations since 2002. She recently received the “Shining Star” Award from the Victims Rights Law Center (VRLC) for her pro-bono work on behalf of sexual assault victims in Massachusetts.

“Over the past five years, Helen has assisted clients with complicated restraining orders, worked to ensure clients’ privacy protections within the criminal justice system, and dedicated countless hours to researching, drafting and promoting new state legislation to provide restraining order protection for all sexual assault victims, regardless of their relationship to their perpetrators,” said Paula Mangum, VRLC’s Acting Legal Director. “Her boundless energy, compassion for her clients, and keen advocacy serve as an inspiration for the VRLC’s entire pro bono panel of attorneys and paraprofessionals.”

Gerostathos Guyton is an associate in the Litigation section of Mintz Levin’s Washington office. Her practice focuses on complex litigation matters, with particular emphasis on class action and products liability disputes. She is a member of the Class Action Working Group and has experience defending consumer, unfair trade practice and antitrust class actions. Gerostathos Guyton received her B.A. from American University and her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is a membership and advocacy organization representing state domestic violence coalitions, allied organizations and supportive individuals. NNEDV works to create a social, political and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. Working to that end, NNEDV has become the leading voice among domestic violence advocates, developing policy that changes the way our country deals with this complex and far-reaching problem. For more information, please visit www.nnedv.org.