Lawsuit challenges DOJ’s abrupt termination of legal services for vulnerable crime victims, including survivors of sexual assault and sex trafficking
WASHINGTON — Today, the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), represented by Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) abrupt termination of a $500,000 award supporting legal services for crime victims with disabilities, including survivors of sexual assault and sex trafficking.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, alleges that DOJ unlawfully canceled a cooperative agreement with NCVLI despite the organization’s compliance with its obligations, providing no specific justification beyond claiming the program no longer aligned with agency priorities.
Read the full complaint HERE
Awarded in September 2023, the funding supported an initiative designed to expand access to legal representation for crime victims with disabilities, who often face significant barriers navigating the justice system. The program included:
Legal resources: An interactive Disability & Victims’ Rights Attorney Toolkit to help attorneys advocate for survivors with disabilities.
Attorney training: Intensive, in-person training to equip legal professionals to protect and enforce crime victims’ rights.
Direct legal assistance: Connecting trained attorneys offering free or reduced-cost representation with survivors in need, alongside ongoing technical assistance.
According to the complaint, NCVLI was meeting its project requirements when DOJ terminated the award in April 2025 without advance notice or an individualized explanation. The cancellation immediately halted services, disrupted planned attorney training, and eliminated resources intended to help vulnerable survivors access legal support.
“NCVLI is the only national organization entirely dedicated to protecting and advancing victims’ legal rights in the courts. The cut to our funding effectively relegated some of the most vulnerable survivors to mere observers in the justice system despite the promise of victims’ rights,” said Meg Garvin, Executive Director of NCVLI.
“The Justice Department’s stated commitment to protecting victims of sexual assault and trafficking directly contradicts its decision to eliminate funding for a program doing exactly that,” said Rachel Johnson, an attorney with Lawyers for Good Government and counsel for NCVLI. “Our client fulfilled its obligations, yet the government terminated its agreement without a legitimate explanation. Survivors with disabilities deserve access to legal representation and should never be used as a political football.”
The lawsuit alleges that DOJ breached its contract with NCVLI and violated its obligation to act in good faith and deal fairly. NCVLI is seeking at least $284,734.83 in damages, representing the unpaid balance of its original award, along with additional relief.
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Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) is a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of 125,000 lawyers, law students, and advocates in the fight for justice. We identify where lawyers can make the greatest impact and mobilize them to defend democracy and the rule of law, protect civil and human rights, and advance environmental justice through coordinated legal action and advocacy efforts that create meaningful change for all Americans.
National Crime Victims Law Institute (NCVLI)
Founded in 2000, the National Crime Victim Law Institute is a national resource for crime victim lawyers and advocates to support the assertion and enforcement of victims’ rights in criminal and civil processes. NCVLI continues to be the only national organization whose mission is focused on enforcement of victims’ rights in the courts.