Our Mission at SLSLS

SLSLS provides free legal services to survivors seeking protection from Intimate Partner Violence.

Two people holding hands, one with lighter skin and the other with darker skin, sitting closely together on a couch.

With every case we take on, with every survivor we support, we reaffirm our mission to ensure that justice prevails and survivors find their voices

What We Do

St. Louis Survivors Legal Support (SLSLS) provides free legal representation to survivors of intimate partner violence, helping them obtain Orders of Protection and other critical relief, which can include custody, child support, firearms relinquishment, substance abuse treatment and batterer intervention programs.

We reach survivors early by partnering with police departments, hospital systems, advocates, and community organizations - often connecting before they would otherwise seek help, potentially preventing years of abuse.

In addition to legal advocacy, we:

Educate partners on how to identify and support victims of intimate partner violence.
Consult with survivors to assess whether pursuing an Order of Protection is safe and appropriate.
Connect survivors with free attorneys, safety planning and community resources.
Hold offenders accountable by working with police, prosecutors and courts to enforce Orders of Protection when violated.

Our History

I saw it firsthand. I presided over thousands of cases involving domestic abuse during my 22 years as a Judge in St. Louis County. It was common for the survivors of the cases with the worst allegations to not appear for their hearings, forcing me to dismiss their cases. I knew why; many of their abusers likely threatened them, intimidated them, or pleaded with them to not go forward with getting an Order of Protection (OP). The victims who did show in court were typically unrepresented, while their abusers often hired attorneys. These victims were understandably daunted by such an unfair battle. Some simply left the courthouse before their trials began. This painful reality made it very clear to me that the system was failing survivors. St. Louis County judges are wise, compassionate, and fair but, just as mine were, their hands are tied. SLSLS was founded to address this problem. Its mission is quite simple: no victim of IPV should ever walk into court alone.

Michael D. Burton

SLSLS Founder and Executive Director

Why SLSLS Started

Our Team
Michael D. Burton
Founder and Executive Director
Read More
Michael D. Burton
Founder and Executive Director
Michael D. Burton was a judge on the St. Louis County Circuit Court bench for 22 years. After serving as the Court’s presiding judge, he retired from the bench in August, 2021, to attend a year-long leadership initiative at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame.
Burton has taught trial advocacy, evidence, and other courses at both Washington University and St. Louis University law schools for more than twenty-five years.
In 2009, Burton founded the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court, to address better ways to hold offenders accountable and ultimately keep victims safe. Four special dockets were created to focus on monitoring offenders and responding to their noncompliance with the terms of their orders of protection (“O/P”s) and probation. In 2020, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Office on Violence against Women selected the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court to be one of four Mentor Courts in the country. Only thirteen other courts in the country have received similar recognition.
From 2008 to 2021, Burton developed and maintained a user-friendly process to bring petitions for orders of protection to the circuit court during evenings, weekends and holidays. Moreover, during the pandemic, the St. Louis County Circuit Court developed a system for victims to obtain temporary (ex parte) orders of protection online, without having to leave their residences. He has regularly trained more than a thousand law enforcement officers from all sixty-plus police departments in St. Louis County about these processes and about many other procedures, statutes and rules pertaining to O/Ps and domestic violence.
Burton has written a manual for judges and law enforcement officers on the pertinent local, state and federal procedures, rules, statutes and case law for domestic violence issues. He has also written the Missouri Bar’s chapter (and supplement) on Orders of Protection for its CLE series. Burton created bench cards for all Missouri judges who preside over order of protection hearings.
Burton was the chairperson for the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Council for ten years, the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court for twelve years and the Missouri Supreme Court's Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence for its formative first four years.
Burton has trained hundreds of attorneys and judges throughout the state and country on domestic violence issues -- through the St. Louis County Bar, the Missouri Judicial College, the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He is currently involved with the American Bar Association’s training of judges and attorneys on best practices for handling DV cases with victims from the LGBTQI+ community.
In 2018, the American Bar Association presented Judge Burton with the Judith Kaye Award for Judicial Excellence. This award recognizes one judge in the country who embodies the commitment provided to victims of domestic and sexual violence by New York State’s former chief judge. While on the bench, Burton was honored for his work in protecting victims of abuse by various organizations, including Legal Advocates for Abused Women, A Woman’s Place and Voices for Children.
Contact me directly at michael.burton@slsls.org.
← Back
Tali Katz
Deputy Executive Director
Read More
Tali Katz
Deputy Executive Director
Prior to joining SLSLS as the Director of Legal Advocacy, Tali Katz spent six years practicing complex commercial litigation at the law firm Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Before that, she was an Assistant District Attorney in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, where she also graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School.  Her work as Team Leader of the Domestic Violence Prosecution Team earned her the recognition of the Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which named her the Outstanding State Government Official in 2014.
As a member of the Nashville Mayor’s Safety and Accountability Assessment Team, Tali served on a committee tasked with assessing how Metro government could improve victim safety and offender accountability in the law enforcement and justice systems.  She then worked with the Nashville Mayor’s Office to implement crucial court and prosecution related recommendations, including a coordinated community response to domestic violence through the newly established Family Justice Center.
Tali has served on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Mary Parrish Center for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Missouri Appleseed, and the Humane Society of Missouri’s Women’s Leadership Council.  She also worked to advance animal protection legislation, partnering with the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation to draft the Pet Protection Bill, which secured pets’ inclusion in orders of protection.
Contact me directly at tali.katz@slsls.org.
← Back
Ema Remtula
Director of Client Services
Read More
Ema Remtula
Director of Client Services
Ema Remtula has been a paralegal since 2005 and a legal advocate for victims of violence since 2012. Prior to joining SLSLS as the Director of Client Services, Ema worked as a litigation paralegal in personal injury, workman’s compensation, and family law at Klar, Izsak and Stenger, LLC. She has also worked at a variety of non-profit organizations, such as Land of Lincoln Legal Aid in East St. Louis, IL, Call for Help and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.
Ema has dedicated herself to advocating for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. In 2016, Ema was published in The St. Louis American business journal for her role at LSEM.
She continues her passion for helping victims in her community, with friends, family, and neighbors by listening, believing, and supporting. Ema also uses her former modeling career as a platform to educate and inform different target groups, working as a model coach to educate young models and their families on potential risks and dangers of falling prey to predators, as well as participating in women’s panels.
Ema earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Lindenwood University in Belleville, IL, which affords her the knowledge and understanding of law enforcement procedures to further nurture relationships with law enforcement agencies. She also earned her Specialized Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Hickey College.
“I aspire to inspire before I expire.” – Author Unknown
Contact me directly at ema.remtula@slsls.org.
← Back
Kylie Cain
Office Administrator
Read More
Kylie Cain
Office Administrator
Before joining SLSLS Kylie Cain was a legal assistant at a civil law firm specializing in defense of medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death.
From 2015-2021 Kylie worked in various positions for the 21st Judicial Circuit Court in St. Louis County, her longest role being in the Adult Abuse - Order of Protection Office for four years. Kylie supervised the Order of Protection Office and was dedicated to assisting litigants in applying for orders of protection, referring those in need to court advocates, and helping litigants navigate the next steps after petitioning the court. Kylie helped develop an electronic application process for victim petitioners that was used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the beginning of 2020, Kylie took on the role of Division Clerk to the Presiding Judge of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County and worked alongside him, managing the office during the COVID-19 pandemic up until his retirement in 2021.
Her commitment to supporting those in need continued at the St. Louis Crisis Nursery, where she provided vital resources and assistance to those in need of care for their children from 2023-2024.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Kylie is a devoted single mother to two wonderful children and enjoys spending time with her cat, Pete. She is passionate about cross-stitching and hiking, and she actively engages with her community, aiming to be a friendly face for survivors of domestic violence.
Contact me directly at kylie.cain@slsls.org.
← Back
Kimberly Birdwell
Director of Community Engagement
Read More
Kimberly Birdwell
Director of Community Engagement
Before joining SLSLS, Kimberly Birdwell worked for 28 years at the Family Court of St. Louis County serving as a Deputy Juvenile Officer, Assessment Unit Manager, Victim Advocacy Project Director, Human Resources Generalist and Community and Educational Programs Manager. Kimberly retired from the Court in April 2024.
She is a dedicated professional and a demonstrated advocate of youth, families and victims. Beginning in 2005, Kimberly was a part of the development of the Family Court’s first Victim Advocacy Project that was created to provide criminal justice advocacy and crisis intervention services for victims of crimes and victims of property crimes. Kimberly has remained a staunch advocate and supporter of victims over the last 20 plus years.
She is also connector and enjoys connecting individuals and organizations with the appropriate resources/support to help them become successful!
Kimberly possesses a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts-Communications from Saint Louis University.
Contact me directly at kimberly.birdwell@slsls.org.
← Back
John DeMoor
Custody Attorney
Read More
John DeMoor
Custody Attorney
Before joining SLSLS, John DeMoor practiced law with his own law firm for over 20 years, handling a combination of family law, juvenile law, personal injury, and criminal law.
Prior to entering legal practice, he worked as a journalist which would later lead to his position as editor for Missouri Lawyers Weekly, giving him unique insight into the legal community across the state.
Beyond his caseload, John has been active in community service. He has served on the board (and as board president) of The Center for Survivors of Torture & War Trauma, a non-profit created to offer culturally sensitive mental health counseling for immigrant refugees of war-torn nations. Currently he serves as a board member of the Missouri Press-Bar Commission. He earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas.
Since joining SLSLS, John has worked to help SLSLS clients pursue much needed custody lawsuits following their orders of protection.
Contact me directly at john.demoor@slsls.org.
← Back
Megan Duncan
Advancement Manager
Read More
Megan Duncan
Advancement Manager
Megan Duncan is a nonprofit professional with more than 13 years of fundraising experience and she is dedicated to expanding access to justice and support for survivors of intimate partner violence. Her work is grounded in community engagement, strategic fundraising, and mission-driven relationship building, with a focus on strengthening resources for survivors and the organizations that serve them. Megan is passionate about connecting people to meaningful opportunities for impact and believes deeply in the power of compassionate advocacy, collaboration, and survivor-centered support. Through her work, she strives to help build safer communities and ensure that survivors are met with dignity, protection, and hope.
Contact me directly at megan.duncan@slsls.org.
← Back
Aruna Tailor
Outreach Advocate/Specialist
in Immigration Services (OASIS)
Read More
Aruna Tailor
Outreach Advocate/Specialist in Immigration Services (OASIS)
Aruna has worked in immigrant communities with an emphasis on domestic violence and women empowerment for more than 20 years.
After graduating with a Masters degree in Social Work from Washington University, she  co-founded SAWERAA (South Asian Women Empowerment Association), the only community organization in St. Louis serving victims and survivors of domestic violence in South Asian communities. In 2007, she joined Legal Services of Eastern Missouri as an Accredited Representative advocating for and representing immigrants in acquiring legal benefits. She represented survivors or victims of crimes, including domestic violence and human trafficking.
Currently, she serves on the Board of Safe Connections, a service agency serving victims of domestic violence and empowering youth to prevent being victimized. She is a member of the St. Louis Domestic and Family Violence Council and is a member of the MO Supreme Court Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence.
In addition, she is serving on the Board of Room at the Inn, a homeless shelter for families and is a member of Immigration Service Providers Network to improve language access for LEP (Limited English Proficiency) immigrants.
Contact me directly at aruna.tailor@slsls.org.
← Back
Jessie McClanahan
Special Process Server
Read More
Jessie McClanahan
Special Process Server
A retired city police sergeant of 20 years and an 18-year officer and investigator for St. Louis County Family Court.
Contact me directly at jessie.mcclanahan@slsls.org.
← Back

Get in Touch

Donate

What We Do

Our History

Why SLSLS Started

Get in Touch

About Us

Get Help Now

Get Involved