Resources and information about attorneys' roles in representing children in child abuse and neglect cases, including State and local examples.
American Bar Association Center of Children and the Law
American Bar Association (2017)
Provides resources, publications, practice tools, training, and technical assistance on the legal representation of children.
Beyond Paternalism: The Role of Counsel for Children in Abuse and Neglect Proceedings (PDF - 303 KB)
Malempati (2013)
University of New Hampshire Law Review, 11(1)
Evaluates the two different models of representation that have developed in child abuse and neglect dependency proceedings, the guardian ad litem lawyer and the traditional client-directed lawyer. The author discusses the general problems with each model and proposes solutions in order for children to receive the most effective representation.
National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC)
NACC
Provides training and technical assistance to child law attorneys and other child welfare professionals to improve practice. NACC offers a child welfare law certification process accredited by the American Bar Association.
National Quality Improvement Center on the Representation of Children in the Child Welfare System
QIC-ChildRep (2017)
Identifies and disseminates knowledge on the representation of children and youth in the child welfare system. The website includes a Best Practice Model of Child Representation complete with trainings and evaluation findings.
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 894KB) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
State and local examples
Ethics for Attorneys for Children (PDF - 4,310 KB)
New York State Supreme Court (2017)
Provides information on the role and function of attorneys representing children as well as answers ethical questions concerning this practice area.
Representing Children: Spotlight on The Child’s Advocate
D'Atri, Loebsack & Brownlee (2015)
Wake County Bar Association
Provides an explanation of the unique role of the child’s attorney in cases based upon North Carolina State statues and guidance from the American Bar Association. This blog post distinguishes between a child’s attorney and a best-interests attorney.
Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in Child Protective, Foster Care, Destitute Child and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings (PDF - 182 KB)
New York State Bar Association, Committee on Children and the Law (2015)
Identifies what constitutes effective representation of children in the State of New York. The document includes information on the role of the child’s attorney, general authority and duties, actions that should be taken, and the hearing, post hearing, and appeals process.
Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic
University of Georgia School of Law (2018)
Provides information on a partnership between the University of Georgia School of Social Work and the University of Georgia School of Law that helps law students understand trauma and learn how to work with clients who have been traumatized.