UC Davis School of Law Receives $35,000 From Verizon for Family Protection and Legal Assistance Clinic

Grant Funds Program Providing Legal Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence

DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ — The UC Davis School of Law Family Protection and Legal Assistance Clinic is the recipient of a $35,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to support a program that provides legal assistance to victims of domestic violence.

Under the program, UC Davis law students represent victims who otherwise could not afford an attorney, helping them obtain financial support, protective orders and custody orders, and thus go on with their lives without threat of further violence.

The program also provides hands-on experience for UC Davis School of Law students, who receive academic credit for their participation.

“For victims of domestic violence, navigating the legal system can be expensive, stressful and overwhelming,” said Elva Lima, Verizon vice president for strategic programs. “The Verizon Foundation supports programs that give domestic abuse victims the resources to break the cycle of violence, and we applaud the law school clinic for making a positive impact in the lives of others.”

Kevin R. Johnson, dean of the UC Davis School of Law, said: “We are very proud of the important work of the Family Protection and Legal Assistance Clinic, which has made a profound difference in the lives of many victims of domestic violence and taught students much about the practice of law for those most in need. We thank the Verizon Foundation for its generous support of the clinic.”

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $25.1 million in combined contributions. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since Verizon’s inception in 2000.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 80 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,000 and in 2007 generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About UC Davis Law School

Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the UC Davis School of Law is one the nation’s top law schools. Known for its outstanding ranking, small size, unusually accessible and dedicated faculty of renowned scholars, and uniquely supportive learning environment, the Law School offers a challenging academic program with diverse specialties including business law, environmental law, international and comparative law, intellectual property, immigration law, constitutional law, public-interest law, and more. With award-winning trial and appellate advocacy programs, clinics, and externships, five student-run journals, and more than 40 active student organizations, the UC Davis School of Law sets the standard for excellence in public university legal education.

VERIZON’S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon’s News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon