Family Law

A 55 year-old grandmother wants custody of her three grandchildren because their mother recently died of cancer and their father is incarcerated...

A working-class couple is ready to adopt their HIV+ foster child. A 24 year-old immigrant hiding out in a shelter with her young baby needs a Civil Protection Order and a divorce from her physically abusive husband...

No greater legal need exists in D.C. than for lawyers to represent those grandmothers and couples and immigrants attempting to stabilize and protect their families. And there is possibly no greater professional satisfaction than for a lawyer to make a difference in the life of a family in crisis.

The Children's Law Center and the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program Co-Host this Practice Area with the generous assistance of DLA Piper.

The Family Law Practice Area provides pro bono, court-appointed and legal services lawyers with the tools necessary to be effective advocates in adoption, custody, divorce, support, abuse and neglect and special education matters. Volunteer opportunities are available through the Co-Host organizations, as well as many other legal service agencies in D.C. Most organizations provide training and support (including mentoring), and some provide malpractice insurance.

Join us!

You can join the Family Law Practice Area if you provide pro bono representation through one of the Co-Host organizations or through one of the other legal service agencies in D.C. Also, legal service practitioners are encouraged to join. Click here to join this area.

Host Organizations:

Children's Law Center

DLA Piper

Resources in the Family Law Practice Area include training materials, links to relevant statutes, community resources, sample pleadings and important contact information in the following family law areas:

• Adoption

• Abuse and Neglect

• Custody

• Paternity and Support

• Divorce

• Special Education

• Superior Court Practice