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About Us

Pro Bono Project

In 1996, VARN was incorporated with the stated purpose to provide pro bono legal services to the low-income rural northern Nevadans.  Since 1996, VARN’s Pro Bono Project has recruited a panel of over 100 private and public volunteer attorneys to provide free legal services to low-income residents in Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, Humboldt, Elko, and White Pine counties. Assistance is provided to low-income people living in rural Nevada in uncontested civil legal matters including divorce, child custody, adoption, name change, guardianship, termination of parental rights, probate matters, and other civil matters.

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Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Project - DVVAP

In 2000, VARN began providing free civil legal assistance to adults and children living with domestic violence. The successful program has expanded to service all 15 rural Nevada counties, providing services in family law matters, child custody and support, paternity, divorce, and guardianship.​ ​

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Lawyer in the Lobby 

Provides a free 20-minute consultation with an attorney and is available to the public, regardless of income. This program operates four times per month. Call (775) 883-8278 for an appointment.

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Rural Senior Law Project- RSLP

In 2018, VARN added the Rural Senior Legal Project (RSLP) to assist rural Nevada seniors (60+) with legal issues, free of charge. Legal services provided include assistance with consumer issues, health, housing, and other civil matters. 

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Immigration Project

Free civil legal assistance is provided to immigrant victims of domestic violence seeking to obtain legal status in the U.S. through the VAWA Self-Petition or U Visa process. This project may also be able to assist in other family matters.​​

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Legal Aid Fairs

VARN also provides Legal Aid Fairs throughout rural Nevada, which offer free legal consultations with an attorney. 

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Varn Board of Directors

James W. Puzey - President
Audrey Damonte - Secretary
Kara M. Hayes
Severin Carlson
Marilee Cate
Kelli Gallimore
Kathleen Kelly

Meet The Team

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Benjamin E. Albers

Executive Director

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Rebecca Smokey

Sr. Advocate/Caseworker

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Kimberly Castillo

Bilingual Paralegal

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Irma Arellano

Bilingual Legal Assistant

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Cecilia Blue

Staff Attorney

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Sarah Montes

CFO

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Sandra Quiroz

Immigration Specialist

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Melanie Castillo

Receptionist

Social Media

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Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans (VARN)

412 W. John Street, Suite C, Carson City, NV 89703

(775) 883-8278 | info@varn.org​

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Funding from the State Bar of Nevada Foundation made this website possible.

© 2021 by VARN. 

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