Children’s Rights Committee Helps Train Juvenile Justice Advocates in New Orleans

Nationally-recognized advocates for children participated in a hands-on training session for New Orleans juvenile public defenders sponsored by the Children’s Rights Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation during a winter leadership meeting for the Section of Litigation on January, 15, in New Orleans.

Even prior to the destructive impact of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans justice system, advocates in the juvenile justice system faced tremendous challenges.  With the economic downturn and a lack of resources, those who provide needed services on a daily basis to children in delinquency need effective tools and skills training to meet the ever-growing demand for help.

Approximately 25 children’s lawyers participated in an intense training session that utilized a trial advocacy training model accompanied by lectures and small group breakouts. Attendees received an opportunity to hone their skills and learn the latest in law and practice affecting children.  The faculty consisted of members of the Children’s Rights Litigation Working group  and included Angela Vigil, Baker & McKenzie, Miami; Lauren Adams, Norwich, Vermont; Alfreda Coward, One Voice Children’s Law Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Marguerite Gualtieri, Support Center for Child Advocates, Philadelphia; Tony DeMarco, Juvenile Rights Advocacy Project, Boston; Kris Henning, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C. and Lourdes Rosado, Juvenile Law Center, Philadelphia.

The Children’s Rights Litigation Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation was created to address the vast underrepresentation of children in all aspects of the legal system. The committee endeavors to increase the number of children’s legal projects and pro bono attorneys to represent children, along with providing training materials and programs in order to assist advocates in providing the highest quality of representation for children.  For more information on the work of the committee visit http://www.abanet.org/litigation/committees/childrights/home.html.