In March, 2025, Rivertowns Books will publish Not If I Can Help It: A Family Lawyer’s Battles for Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Poor by family law attorney Meg Groff. This powerful memoir describes Groff’s decades of work as a legal aid attorney in Pennsylvania, defending poor women (and their children) against abusive husbands, economic injustice, and an unfair legal system.

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A prepub review by Publishers Weekly BookLife says, “Groff’s masterful storytelling skills sculpt profound meaning from even the most terrifying of narratives, gifting readers with a deep understanding of what is needed to protect abuse victims and their children.” 

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And in a (rare) starred review, Kirkus Reviews calls it “an inspiring, intelligent memoir,” adding, “Each episode carries a tremendous punch, as well as a searing lesson about the failings of society to help those in need.” ​

This book offers a powerful message about the need for public policy reforms for family court to better address how domestic abuse victims and their children are treated when their allegations of abuse are invalidated and children are endangered. To that end and with National Family Violence Law Center policy manager Danielle Pollack, Groff participated in shaping important child safety policy reforms on “Kayden’s Law” — an effort which began in Pennsylvania and has grown to national prominence.

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To mount an impact campaign around Groff’s book, Rivertowns Books is partnering with nonprofit organizations, including the National Family Violence Law Center at George Washington School of Law, the National Safe Parents Organization, and Connecticut Protective Moms.

 

We want to generate significant nationwide publicity for the book and its author, and to create events and activities aimed at specific groups of influencers with the power to effect real tangible reform for survivors like those highlighted in Groff’s book—local and state policy and lawmakers, legal organizations, attorneys, judges, law students, and more.

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Planning and executing our impact campaign will take resources. Rivertowns Books and our partner organizations will be dedicating their time and efforts pro bono. But we also need funds to pay for books, media materials, travel expenses, and the work of professional publicists and other experts. To make this possible, we need to raise a total of $25,000. We have an advance commitment from a generous donor for an initial $10,000.

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​Will you please consider making a donation to make our impact campaign possible? We suggest an amount between $250 and $500 if possible—but of course any amount will be gratefully accepted. As a special thank you, any donor of $100 or more will receive a copy of Not If I Can Help It personally autographed by the author! Just include your name and address in the comment box below when you submit your gift.

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Connecticut Protective Moms is classified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the standards of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Therefore, your donation may be tax- deductible to the extent allowed by the law.