Who is Lotus Legal Support? 

Hi! I'm Lesli, the Founder of Lotus Legal Support. 

I am a full-time real estate, corporate, transactional, and estate planning Paralegal at a small local law firm. Outside of my day job, I am a part-time Paralegal to Attorneys representing survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in complex family law cases and a legal advocate to survivors either seeking or without access to representation. 

I apply specialized training and experiences to provide personal support and assistance to survivors to ensure their interests are conveyed and their rights are upheld within the civil and criminal legal systems through (1) educating and assisting survivors in navigating legal systems, (2) helping survivors in evaluating advantages and disadvantages participating in legal processes; (3) facilitating survivors' access and participation in legal systems; and (4) promoting survivors autonomy, choices and rights to individuals and programs within legal systems.    

Throughout my education and career, I have recognized opportunities to strengthen legal services for underserved communities, particularly survivors. Many survivors face challenges in accessing competent legal representation due to the impact of abuse and systemic barriers. In the rare instance that a survivor can retain legal counsel, there are often shortfalls in recognizing the intricate mechanisms through which gender-based violence can present itself, let alone how to strategically navigate the legal system for the benefit of the survivor, inevitably leaving the survivor in a disadvantaged position as a result of the demands, high volume of cases, retention, and several other issues present in this niche of the legal field.  

At Lotus Legal Support, I aim to address these gaps by offering affordable services to attorneys representing or serving survivors to the best of my capacity. 

As a legal advocate working with survivors, I have continuous practice with: 

• Conducting interviews and information gathering of sensitive and triggering issues in a trauma-informed and safe environment to identify potential legal needs and safety matters. 

• Preparing legal documents and pleadings, including but not limited to protection orders, dissolution of marriage, child and spousal support, custody/parentage paperwork, and abusive litigation (under attorney supervision). 

• Knowledge on current legal procedures associated with various legal matters most commonly faced by survivors of gender-based violence and demonstrating. 

• Utilizing King County Script Portal and E-Filing/E-Serve system, WA Courts Odyssey Portal, eFileWA, PACER, Seattle Municipal Filing, WA Secure Access, and Infonet. 

• The commitment to race and social justice initiatives, completing extensive training in gender-based violence advocacy, family law procedures, intersectional systemic oppression, strangulation prevention, tenant rights and housing, and immigration legal procedures affecting survivors.

As a first-generation Cuban American, my strong familiarity of Hispanic/Latin cultures, practices, and beliefs, enriches my understanding and approach to legal support by incorporating diverse cultural perspectives.