This section presents resources and information, including State and local examples, about attorneys' roles in representing children in child abuse and neglect cases.
Center on Children and the Law
American Bar Association
Provides resources, publications, practice tools, training, and technical assistance on the legal representation of children.
How to Improve Legal Representation of Children in America's Child Welfare System (PDF - 384 KB)
Duquette (2022)
University of Michigan Law School
Summarizes research findings from the National Improvement Centers on the Representation of Children in the Child Welfare System's project and offers key recommendations on how to better represent children in child welfare.
National Association of Counsel for Children
Provides training and technical assistance to child law attorneys and other child welfare professionals to improve practice. The association 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
Presents knowledge on the representation of children and youth in the child welfare system. The website provides information about the QIC Best Practice Model of Child Representation, including related trainings and evaluation findings.
Representation of Children in Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings
Youth Engagement Project
American Bar Association, Center on Children and the Law
Provides training and technical assistance for lawyers seeking to increase older youth engagement in child welfare court processes. The webpage includes information about adolescent development and summaries of relevant Federal legislation.
State and local examples
Effects of Attorney Funding on Representation Quality for Children and Parents
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
Summarizes findings from a California-based initiative assessing the effect of increased funding on the quality of legal representation for children and their parents in child welfare cases.
Ethics for Attorneys for Children (PDF - 4,412 KB)
New York State Supreme Court (2017)
Provides information on the role and function of attorneys representing children and answers ethical questions concerning this practice area.
Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic
University of Georgia School of Law
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.