legal assistance
(24) Legal assistance (A) Definition The term “legal assistance” means assistance provided by or under the direct supervision of a person described in subparagraph (B) to an adult, youth, or child victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking relating to a matter described in subparagraph (C). (B) Person described A person described in this subparagraph is— (i) a licensed attorney; (ii) in immigration proceedings, a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative; (iii) in claims of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a representative authorized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or (iv) any person who functions as an attorney or lay advocate in tribal court. (C) Matter described A matter described in this subparagraph is a matter relating to— (i) divorce, parental rights, child support, Tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing, campus, education, healthcare, privacy, contract, consumer, civil rights, protection or other injunctive proceedings, related enforcement proceedings, and other similar matters; (ii) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-conviction matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victim’s safety, privacy, or other interests as a victim; (iii) alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability, regardless of court involvement; or (iv) with respect to a conviction of a victim relating to or arising from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking victimization of the victim, post-conviction relief proceedings in State, local, Tribal, or territorial court. (D) Intake or referral For purposes of this paragraph, intake or referral, by itself, does not constitute legal assistance.