Attorneys for Children & Assigned Counsel: A Lawyer’s Role in Promoting Justice for Children and Families

On October 13, 2021, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and the Appellate Division, First, Second, Third, and Fourth Departments, in collaboration with the Assigned Counsel Association of NYS, INC., hosted a Continuing Legal Education webinar entitled, Attorneys for Children & Assigned Counsel: A Lawyer’s Role in Promoting Justice for Children and Families. Commissioner Hon. Shahabuddeen Ally, the Supervising Judge of the New York County Civil Court and Acting Justice of Supreme Court, New York County, moderated the event.

Previous Commission Co-Chair Hon. Shirley Troutman, and Co-Chair Hon. Troy K. Webber provided welcome remarks, along with an overview of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission.

The panelists shared deep institutional knowledge across a variety of sectors, beginning with a general overview of the state-wide Attorneys for Children Program from Linda J. Kostin, Esq., the Director of Attorneys for Children Program in the Appellate Division Fourth Department. Attendees also heard about ongoing efforts to fuse the public and private sector in a diversified law practice from Frederick P. Bahir, Esq., Panel Attorney for the Child/Assigned Counsel for Adults, Second Department, Kings County.

Other panelists highlighted how potent the partnership between public interest lawyers and private practice can be. Attendees heard first-hand perspectives on running a small public interest business as a solo practice from Yusuf El Ashmawy, Esq., Panel Attorney for the Child/Assigned Counsel for Adults in the First Department. Maria V. De La Cruz, Esq., Panel Attorney for the Child/Assigned Counsel for Adults, Second Department, Queens County, elaborated on the topic of how unique backgrounds contribute to a talented, dedicated and vibrant attorney skillset.

All speakers also joined a panel discussion on “Pathway to Becoming an Attorney for Children” which focused on “Building Your Own Practice Through AFC and Assigned Counsel Assignments.” This reinforced earlier panelists’ emphasis on the unique responsibilities held by attorneys for children. Jaya L. Connors, Esq., Assistant Professor of Law and Director of Field Placement Programs Albany Law School, also a Panel Attorney for the Child/Assigned Counsel for Adults Third Department, Albany County discussed zealous advocacy, and its unique meaning in the context of representing children.

Attendees had the unique opportunity to learn about the daily rhythms of AFC practice, both from the perspective of assigned counsel and the judiciary. Marissa Hill Washington, Esq., Panel Attorney for the Child/Assigned Counsel for Adults Fourth Department, Erie County, deliberated on the topic of “A Day in the Life of an Attorney for the Child – Challenges and Rewards of AFC Practice” and Hon. Cheryl A. Joseph, Supervising Judge for Matrimonial Matters in Supreme Court, Suffolk County, spoke gave a judicial perspective of AFC and Assigned Counsel Representation.

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