The course also covers essentials of administrative law, and satisfies the administrative law requirement for graduation. Children's Advocacy Focusing on representing children as their Guardian ad Litem, students are involved in cases in District and Superior Courts. The class meets one time per week for one and one-half hours to discuss interviewing children, their parents and other significant persons involved in children's lives. Additional issues for discussion include recent significant cases, the statutes and legislation that affect children, the role of the Guardian ad Litem versus the role of the attorney for the child, and how violence in the family effects children. Students have Guardian ad Litem cases that allow them to prepare motions, reports for the court and proposed orders in preparation for court hearings as well as providing oral advocacy for children before and during court hearings.
Supervision is provided on a weekly, or more frequent basis as needed.
It is recommended that students who have taken Administrative Advocacy also take the Civil Practice Clinic course before taking the Children's Advocacy Clinic or Advanced Clinic. This class meets once each week for one and one-half hours for discussion and debate about a variety of issues affecting children. Topics include bias, confidentiality, and the role of the Guardian ad Litem. Guest speakers include a psychologist, attorney for parents and DCYF supervisor, offering students a broader perspective on issues affecting children. Students prepare a topic for class discussion as well as a paper on their topic.