Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Nevada Law Journal

Abstract

Since the introduction of lawyers for children into child welfare proceedings, lawyers have struggled with how to determine their child clients' best interests. There has been widespread recognition that lawyers bring no particular expertise to such assessments. A sense of humility has led to calls to avoid imposing lawyers' subjective values on their clients. A desire for fairness has led to calls that like cases be treated alike. Sensitivity to the race, class, gender, and culture dynamics of today's child welfare system has led to awareness of the dangers of imposing our particular perspectives-however well intentioned-on clients. Yet while there is much discussion of what to avoid doing as an attorney for children, still the pressing question remains of what lawyers can and should do to serve their young clients' interests. The Recommendations of the UNLV Conference on Representing Children in Families, offer an important, and-all-too-frequently ignored starting point: if you want to figure out what is best for a child, ask her parents.

First Page

1263

Volume

6

Publication Date

2006

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