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