top of page

About Us

Pro Bono

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.  

​​

Domestic Violence Assistance - 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.​

Senior Legal Services - RSLP

In 2018, VARN added the Rural Senior Legal Project (RSLP) to assist rural Nevada seniors (60+) with legal issues, free of charge.

​​

Lawyer in the Lobby 

VARN's Lawyer in the Lobby program offers a free 20-minute attorney consultation.

          - 1st Monday of the month: questions from Seniors (60+).

          - 1st and 3rd and third Wednesdays of each month:  Family Law issues.

          - 2nd Wednesday of the month: general civil law questions.

          - 4th Wednesday of the month: legal questions from Spanish-speakers.

This very popular program is available by reservation only, by calling 775-883-8278

 

Legal Aid Fairs

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

VARN Board of Directors

President – James W. Puzey, Esq.

Secretary – Audrey P. Damonte, Esq.

Sandra-Mae Pickens, Esq.

Kara M. Hayes, Esq.

Severin Carlson, Esq.

Marilee Cate, Esq.

thumbnail_IMG_0578.jpg
thumbnail_IMG_0594.jpg
thumbnail_IMG_0598.jpg
VM Pic.jpg

Victoria S. Mendoza, Esq.

​Executive Director

icon with no facial features for female bilingual spanish legal assistant placeholder imag

Irma Arellano

Bilingual Legal Assistant

1748039420431.jpg

Brittany K. Puzey, Esq.

Deputy Executive Director

RSmokeyPhoto.jpg

Rebecca Smokey

Sr. Advocate / Caseworker

icon with no facial features for female bilingual spanish legal assistant placeholder imag

Kimberly Castillo

Bilingual Paralegal

Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans (VARN)

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

(775) 883-8278 | info@varn.org

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

© 2021 by VARN. 

bottom of page