POWER
AN ACT TO PROMOTE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES AS A CRITICAL WAY IN WHICH TO EMPOWER SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
ACT
2026 VIRTUAL EVENT
Wednesday, May 20 at 4:00 PM (EST)
SPEAKERS
H on. La ur a Ta y lor Swa in Jennif er R. Rawlings, E sq. A b o u t t h e Po w er A ct
Laura Taylor Swain was Jennifer Rawlings is a The Pro Bono Work to Empower and
appointed to the United Senior Contracts Represent (POWER) Act was signed into
States District Court for Manager at Yale law in September 2018 to help combat
the Southern District of University and the Co- domestic abuse and sexual violence. The
New York on July 11, Director of the Center POWER Act mandates that each year the
2000, and entered on for Indigenous Peoples Chief Judge of each Judicial District
duty on August Rights. The Center for across the country hold at least one event
31, 2000. Indigenous Peoples promoting pro bono legal services as a
She became Chief Judge of the Court on Rights is an Indigenous-lead, non-profit critical way to empower survivors of
April 10, 2021. A native New Yorker, Chief organization providing advocacy, policy domestic violence, stalking, and sexual
Judge Swain graduated from Radcliffe development and critical nation building assault, engage citizens, and help lift
College of Harvard University, cum laude, support to Indigenous Peoples. The CIPR victims out of the cycle of violence. The
and from the Harvard Law School. She promotes the establishment and bill also requires that every two years an
served as a law clerk to the Honorable maintenance of respectful, authentic and event be held in areas with high numbers
Constance Baker Motley from 1982 to 1983. supportive relationships with tribal nations, of Native Americans and Alaska Natives,
Judge Swain was also the first woman, and communities, and peoples. Attorney with a focus on addressing these issues
first person of color, to serve as a member of Rawlings is a member of the Seaconke among Native populations.
the New York State Board of Law Wampanog Tribe of Rhode Island and
Examiners, and served as such for 10 years Massachusetts. She received her Bachelor
prior to taking the bench. She served as a of Arts from the University of
United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Massachusetts with a double major in
Eastern District of New York from Journalism and Legal Studies as well as a
November 1996 until August 2000. Judge certificate in Native American Indian
Swain chaired the Advisory Committee of Studies. She received her law degree from
the Judicial Conference of the United States Quinnipiac University School of Law where
on the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy she also served as an adjunct professor.
Procedure from 2007 to 2010. Judge Swain Attorney Rawlings recently received the
has served the judiciary and the community Inclusive Excellence Award from the
through committee and board membership Quinnipiac School of Law Alumni
of numerous organizations, and has received Association.
numerous awards as well as honorary
degrees. To RSVP and see a complete list of co-sponsoring courts, please scan the
above QR code or visit the program registration page at
https://www.nynd.uscourts.gov/power-act-2026
Registration Closes on May 15, 2026
