High-Quality Legal Representation
The Family Justice Initiative believes that children and families deserve access to high-quality legal representation
The following describes the fundamental attributes of high-quality legal representation for children and parents. These are attributes/elements that must be met by individual parents’ and children’s attorneys as well as by the systems or structures governing legal representation for children and parents in child welfare proceedings.
System attributes needed to ensure that parents’ and children’s attorneys are properly supported to meet their individual obligations to clients address:
Attribute 1: Caseload and Compensation
Attribute 2: Interdisciplinary/Multidisciplinary Practice Model
Attribute 3: Diversity/Cultural Humility
Attribute 4: Timing of Appointment
Attribute 5: Support and Oversight
Attribute 6: Accountability/Use of Data
2017 Survey of Parents’ and Children’s Attorney Compensation and Supports