Legal Advocacy
Diligently pursue clients’ case goals and, as needed and when consistent with client’s interests and objectives, proactively drive the case forward.
FJI Model
FJI is taking a multi-prong approach to promote national access to high-quality legal representation for parents and children in child welfare proceedings. To achieve this goal we have developed an implementation guide for practitioners. This guide covers both individual and system responsibilities.
The FJI Attributes of High-Quality Legal Representation identify the fundamental individual and system attributes of high-quality legal representation for parents and children in child welfare proceedings.
Below is a video from the Family Justice Initiative Webinar Series: Learn about Anti-Racist Lawyering in Practice
Individual Attributes
Cultural Humility
Understand how racial, cultural, social, and economic differences may impact the attorney/client relationship, avoid imposing personal values upon clients, and take these factors into account when working with clients to achieve their case goals, including identifying and accessing services.
Scope of Representation
Identify potential ancillary legal issues that could impact client’s dependency case and refer client to legal resources to address issues, or handle if competent to do so.