Participants in this course will gain an understanding of the principles of child development in order to more effectively advocate issues of child custody and access schedules, in their role as counsel for a party or as a court appointed attorney for the children. The students will learn effective techniques for interviewing children and their parents in order to assess the needs of each child. At the completion of the course, students will also have a better understanding of the impact of separation and divorce on children.

Guest speakers will include a mental health professional who works with children of separation and divorce and a panel of attorneys who have served as court appointed counsel for children. In addition to the required readings, students will be expected to participate in class discussions, including various role-play, case study and practical applications of concepts. There will be a mid-semester writing assignment. The final project will be the preparation of a written closing argument to the court, in the student's role as a court appointed attorney for the children, based upon information contained in a fictional case file (to be provided) and a consideration of principles of child development. The class will meet the requirements to serve as court appointed counsel for children under the Maryland Rules.

Recommended: Family Law