Practitioner Testimonial

Practitioner Christine Butler

Christine Butler is a veteran attorney specializing in domestic violence cases in Boston. 

In private practice since 1978, Butler has learned many tricks of the trade.  But a few years ago, Butler decided to join a network of other solo and small firm family law practitioners run out of Northeastern University School of Law. 

"The network is a place where you can connect with people," Butler says.

The practitioner networks, which were created at City University of New York School of Law, University of Maryland School of Law, and Northeastern University School of Law, are part of the Law School Consortium Project. The Project aims to increase access to justice by supporting law schools to expand their educational and institutional mission beyond graduation to include support and service to solo and small-firm practitioners who are committed to serving low and moderate-income individuals and communities.

Butler, whose practice mainly deals with middle to lower income survivors of domestic violence, is no stranger to this mission.  From the day she graduated Suffolk University Law School, Butler was committed to helping survivors in all income brackets get divorces, establish paternity and regain custody of their children. 

In order to keep the practice going, Butler and her partner, Maureen Monks, keep their office expenses down.  When Butler was just starting out over 20 years ago, she opened her practice in her home.  After a few years, she moved to an old office building in Cambridge.  "Our rent is very low compared to our colleagues," she says.  Butler and Monks also teach classes and clinics part-time at area law schools.  "The income from teaching part-time goes directly into our practice," says Butler.

Butler and Monks charge their clients on a sliding scale based on their annual income. Her fees range from $75 per hour to $175 per hour.  Many of her clients earn anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 per year. 

"I do think it is a tough way to make a living.  It is tough for people starting out now straight out of law school," she acknowledges.  "But it is possible to balance your practice, for instance combining domestic violence work with other more lucrative practices," she says.

Yet Butler did not start her practice to become rich, she claims.  "I made a political commitment to earn less than many of my students who come out of my class," she points out.  "I feel like I am making a living. But I made a life style decision early on."

Butler admits that it is not love of the practice of law that keeps her representing victims of domestic violence.  It is the survivors themselves that make her sacrifices worth while.  "For me, the positives of practice is the kind of work I do with survivors.  That is my reward for the work I do."

And having a network of like-minded peers is a great resource and support system for Butler. "Just knowing that you can get on the network listserv and get advice, direction and resources is very comforting," she explains.  According to Butler, the network listserv is very active.  People send around articles, documents, cases and other types of information pertaining to family law on a regular basis.  The greatest help to Butler is the heads up she often gets when a new case comes down the pike.  "Someone will always send the decision of the newest case around to members of the listserv.  It is a great way to stay on top of the law," she states.

Because of her vast experience, Butler is able to greatly assist the less experienced lawyers in the network.  She is more than happy to impart her extensive legal knowledge to the future generation of attorneys specializing in domestic violence cases.  For example, recently a younger solo practitioner asked Butler for help preparing for trial.  Butler did not hesitate to help a fellow member strategize about the trial in person, spending hours with the younger lawyers on her case. 

"It is so tough on solos to be alone and isolated.  The sense that there are people out there doing the same work, makes you feel less alone," she says.  "It is very comforting to know that there are other capable and enthusiastic individuals out there able to help people in need," she adds.

Written by Victoria Rivkin, a freelance writer in New York City