Domestic Violence Program:

Representing Child Victims of Domestic Violence

For twelve years, the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center’s Domestic Violence Program has been recruiting and training volunteer attorneys to represent children in domestic violence disputes. The program gives these unheard children a legal advocate to ensure recommendations are made in their best interests. Since its inception, the Children’s Law Center has recruited and trained over 600 volunteer attorneys who have impacted the lives of thousands of children and donated in excess of $5 million dollars in legal services. In 1998, this Program was honored by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges as “one of the most effective and innovative programs for children in the nation.”

We are seeking volunteer attorneys who want to make a critical difference in a child’s life. Representing a child requires approximately 20 hours of volunteer work over a two-week period. No prior courtroom experience is necessary. The Children’s Law Center trains all volunteer attorneys and provides ongoing support from child advocacy professionals.

PROCESS     

• Mail or email completed Volunteer Attorney Application to our Volunteer Attorney Coordinator
• Attend the training course which includes understanding domestic violence laws, its impact on a child and available community resources
• Once appointed to a case, volunteer attorneys conduct an investigation, appear in court and make recommendations on behalf of the child(ren)

LEGAL ADVOCATE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review records
• Get to know the family by interviewing the parents, spending time with the child and observing child/parent interaction
• Identify witnesses
• Consult collateral contacts such as relatives and teachers
• Make recommendations in court based on investigation findings
• Follow-up with the family and recommend community support programs