The University of Denver Child Advocacy Practicum

Betsy Fordyce of the Children's Law Center teaches a unique, year-long course to train upper-level University of Denver Sturm College of Law students to effectively advocate for children. With attorney supervision, students represent children in court and get hands-on experience handling fact investigation, home visits, court appearances, opening statements and closing arguments, and report and motion drafting. In addition to direct courtroom experience, law students participate in a mock trial with actual judges from the community. The students attend class to learn about a variety of child advocacy topics:

• Dependency and neglect legal processes in Colorado
• The role of the guardian ad litem
• Child interviewing techniques
• Appropriate child visitation plans
• The impact of substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence on children
• Allocation of parental responsibilities and adoption
• Ethical issues in representing children
• Immigration
• Indian Child Welfare Act
• Appellate advocacy
• Trial practice

For more information, contact Ann Vessels at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law at avessels@law.du.edu or 303.871.6238.