Susanna Chilnick

After graduating, Susanna Chilnick didn’t even know if she wanted to practice law. It was while clerking for the Superior Court of Massachusetts that one of the judges encouraged her to try criminal defense work. When she joined the panel to begin criminal representation, she was assigned duty days in both district court and juvenile court, and from day one she loved representing clients in juvenile court. She had found her place in the legal world. 

Susanna quickly learned that cases in the juvenile session were complex. Many of her delinquency clients were also involved with the child welfare system. Others were in desperate need of mental health, education advocacy, or other services. Eager to get involved in as many ways as possible, Susanna became certified to represent parents and children in child welfare cases. She also joined the juvenile court’s guardian ad litem list.

Twenty years later, Susanna feels that the diversity in her practice has given her an invaluable perspective. She works mostly as a guardian ad litem these days, where her experience representing parents and children in civil and criminal matters helps her understand the multitude of systems involved in her clients’ lives and advocate effectively for their needs. Susanna loves the complex, “messy” cases and is always excited to get a new appointment. She says that her job is “never boring” and “always challenging.” Nothing makes her happier than finding a creative solution to a problem, particularly if it involves cutting through bureaucracy to help a client get services.

Susanna spends much of her time fighting for educational and mental health services for her clients, the majority of whom live in poverty. She notes that many of the children who become involved with juvenile court start their lives with fewer advantages, and she hates that income disparities often result in unequal access to educational services and psychiatric care. If she had one wish, it would be to end those inequalities and level the playing field.

Susanna knows that her expert legal advocacy makes a difference in the lives of children. Every year in June, she receives pictures from clients who have finally obtained their high school diploma. Watching her child clients succeed, despite all the challenges they have faced, is the most rewarding part of her practice.

Susanna credits her success to the mentors who guided her along the way. Her advice to new lawyers is to “surround yourself with really good people.” She explains, “When you have that type of support around you, you are never on your own. Take the advice. Ask a lot of questions. Watch them in action.” Susanna also acknowledges that practice in juvenile court can take a significant emotional toll. “These cases are so challenging that it is easy to become discouraged,” she says. “Part of doing this work is accepting that there are going to be bad outcomes. Allow yourself to feel sad. But use those sad moments as motivation for a better future.”

Susana lives by the motto, “Find exactly what you love in life and do nothing else.” She is grateful that she gets a chance to do good every day and fight for people who don’t have a voice. She is proud of the lives she touches.

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