Nevada

Children's Attorneys Project

Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada

725 E. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Telephone: (702) 386-1070 ext. 111
Fax: (702) 366-0569
Website: www.lacsn.org

100% Children's Law
Does Use Volunteer Attorneys

The Children's Attorneys Project began in October 1999 through a Task Force composed of judges, court administrators, legislators, professors and others. The Project's nine attorneys represent children as attorneys in abuse and neglect cases. The Project also has two specific areas of focus: the Special Education Program and the Educational Surrogate Parent Initiative. Referrals come from juvenile court, social services agencies, schools, health care professionals and other attorneys. The Project utilizes law students, works with the William S. Boyd School of Law's clinical program and has begun a pro bono program for attorneys to represent children. Trainings for volunteer attorneys will be conducted as needed. Last year volunteer lawyers donated 10,000 hours to pro bono representation.

Thomas and Mack Legal Clinic

William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

4505 Maryland Parkway
P.O. Box 71075
Las Vegas, NV 89170-1075
Telephone: (702) 895-2080
Fax: (702) 895-2081
Website: http://www.law.unlv.edu/clinical-program.html

100% Children's Law
Does Use Volunteer Attorneys

Faculty at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas began this project in August 2000. Among the clinical offerings are several related to children: Education Advocacy, Family Justice, and Juvenile Justice. Students in the Education Advocacy Clinic work with graduate students from the School of Education's Educational Psychology Department to advocate for the educational rights of children with disabilities in the public school system. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the law school's innovative Kids' Court School, which educates child witnesses in Clark County court cases about the judicial process in order to reduce their system-induced stress.

The Family Justice Clinic has a particular focus on prisoners and their families, clients engaged with immigration issues, and those affected by the child welfare system and other forms of state intervention. Law students represent children, parents or guardians in family cases including custody and visitation, guardianship, domestic violence and other family matters. Cases may involve contested trials, negotiations, administrative advocacy, and cutting edge legal and policy issues.

Students in the Juvenile Justice Clinic represent children who have been charged in juvenile delinquency proceedings. Law students negotiate with district attorneys, conduct contested hearings or trials, and advocate for proper dispositions and sentences. As part of their clinic work, students also have the opportunity to shadow Juvenile Public Defenders and observe all aspects of their work in Juvenile Court. Clients are referred from Juvenile Court, social service agencies and community members.