wmitchell.edu
Nancy Ver Steegh
Justice Helen M. Meyer
Professor of Child Protection Law
Joanna Woolman
Resident Adjunct Professor
Room 254
875 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
Strengthening families, strengthening communities
Students represent parents whose children have been removed from the home. The students meet their clients at the initial hearing and continue to represent their clients throughout the case, including a trial if necessary. The cases in this clinic come from Ramsey County.
During its inaugural year
8 certified student attorneys worked with the Child Protection Clinic to assist 12 families in Ramsey County. Together, the students at the Child Protection Clinic put in more than 700 hours of pro bono legal work.
Plans for the Future
In its second year, the Child Protection Clinic will expand its parent representation to Hennepin County. Students will work with a parent attorney at the Hennepin County Public Defender’s office to assist parents with their cases. This experience will broaden the clinic’s impact and the students’ experience by expanding their connections to new judges, stakeholders, and mentors.
The clinic also plans to pilot a Parent to Parent Program where parents who have been through the system will act as mentors for current clients.
Newsletter
Voices Issue 1 Summer 2012
ABA Child Law Practice March 2013
Behind the Scenes: William Mitchell’s Child Protection Clinic