The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law recently celebrated the launch of an exciting new Children and Families Justice Clinic. Housed in the nationally recognized Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic at the law school, the clinic will provide direct legal services for children experiencing abuse and neglect at the hands of their parents or caregivers.
The LBF has gifted the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law with $826,000. These funds are specifically restricted to civil legal aid; and in alignment with the LBF mission, no representation in criminal matters. These funds were used to open The Children and Families Justice Clinic at Loyola.
College of Law Dean Madeleine Landrieu said of the initiative, “For too long, we have failed to recognize the impact of early childhood trauma on the long term health and wellbeing of children, and we have not done enough to train the next generation of lawyers how to incorporate this knowledge into practice.” Landrieu added, “This investment from the Louisiana Bar Foundation is transformative. Our student practitioners will graduate prepared to understand and meet the needs of court involved families.”
Honorable John C. Davidson (Ret.), President of the Louisiana Bar Foundation, expressed his thoughts on the event, stating, “It’s an honor to collaborate with an organization that shares our commitment to providing free legal assistance and services. Together, we will strive to enhance student interest in civil legal aid careers and build a pipeline.”
In addition to supporting the student practitioners in the direct representation of children, the Bar Foundation gift will allow Loyola to provide trauma-informed training opportunities for lawyers, judges, court personnel, community partners, and court-involved mental health professionals. Assistant Secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, Aly Rau, was quick to praise this new clinic. “Loyola College of Law is a nationally recognized leader in clinical education. DCFS is grateful Loyola is lending its expertise to assist the children and families we serve.”
