Indie Soul Magazine Podcast with MVLS: Human Trafficking Prevention Project

The Human Trafficking Prevention Project (HTPP), a partnership between the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and the University of Baltimore School of Law, focuses on reducing the collateral consequences of criminal legal involvement for survivors of human trafficking and those populations made most vulnerable to exploitation. The HTPP also ensures that survivors and other individuals can easily access free legal representation for various civil legal matters. Phinesse Demps, Host/Producer, is joined by a special guest Heather Heiman and Jessica Emerson

 

Heather Heiman, Esq. (she/her) – Human Trafficking Prevention Project Manager, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service

Heather manages the HTPP pro bono program at Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, the largest provider of pro bono civil legal services in the state, where she provides direct representation to HTPP clients and facilitates case placement with volunteer attorneys through MVLS’ pro bono network. She has spearheaded HTPP community outreach in the Baltimore area and co-hosts monthly legal clinics with community partners, as well as training extensively on criminal record relief, credit repair, and other topics related to civil legal services for trafficking survivors and individuals in the commercial sex industry.

Jessica Emerson, LMSW, Esq. (she/her), Director, Human Trafficking Prevention Project

Ms. Emerson began the Human Trafficking Prevention Project (“HTPP”) at the University of Baltimore School of Law in August of 2015.  Before founding the HTPP, Ms. Emerson was a staff attorney and Equal Justice Works Fellow at the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, where she began an innovative project focused on addressing the criminalization of sex trafficking survivors.