The firm’s volunteer lawyers represent children in family court proceedings and provide vital support outside the courtroom as well, including getting to know the child, interviewing significant persons in the child’s life, examining pertinent records, and making sure the child is getting the services he or she needs. The lawyers also confer with each other to discuss developments in their cases, share ideas and resources, and develop strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children they represent. This massive effort is spearheaded by partners Jennifer Jauffret, who chairs the firm’s child advocacy group, and C. Malcolm Cochran, IV, chair of the firm-wide pro bono committee. Mr. Cochran also serves as the Chair of Delaware’s Child Protection Accountability Commission, a state commission with a statutory mission to monitor Delaware’s child protection system to help ensure the health, safety, and well-being of Delaware’s abused, neglected, and dependent children.
This quarter, our Pro Bono spotlight is on the Delaware corporate law firm Richards, Layton & Finger and its pro bono work with the Delaware Office of Child Advocate. OCA’s mission is to safeguard the welfare of the state’s abused and neglected children. Since 2002, Richards Layton lawyers, as OCA volunteer advocates, have represented 249 children and volunteered 10,212 pro bono hours serving some of Delaware’s most at-risk children.
The firm’s volunteer lawyers represent children in family court proceedings and provide vital support outside the courtroom as well, including getting to know the child, interviewing significant persons in the child’s life, examining pertinent records, and making sure the child is getting the services he or she needs. The lawyers also confer with each other to discuss developments in their cases, share ideas and resources, and develop strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children they represent. This massive effort is spearheaded by partners Jennifer Jauffret, who chairs the firm’s child advocacy group, and C. Malcolm Cochran, IV, chair of the firm-wide pro bono committee. Mr. Cochran also serves as the Chair of Delaware’s Child Protection Accountability Commission, a state commission with a statutory mission to monitor Delaware’s child protection system to help ensure the health, safety, and well-being of Delaware’s abused, neglected, and dependent children.