There are approximately 20,000 children in foster care throughout the state of Illinois. Although these cases are civil in nature, both parents (if they cannot afford counsel) and children are entitled to free legal representation when the State intervenes and seeks to remove children from their parents. Our Family Advocacy Clinic works to help parent and child clients navigate the courts and foster care system.
About the Clinic
Students in the Family Advocacy Clinic will represent parents and children involved in the juvenile abuse and neglect system under the supervision of an experienced attorney. Students will be responsible for all aspects of the legal representation of their clients including challenging adjudicatory allegations in court, establishing visitation rights for the parents, and developing appropriate plans for reconciliation. Students will learn the substantive and procedural law associated with abuse and neglect proceedings. In addition, students will be trained and gain experience in skills such as interviewing, counseling, case planning and strategy, fact investigation, negotiating, research, drafting, motion practice, oral advocacy, and trial work. This is a five-credit, graded course that includes both a clinic and simultaneous seminar. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 225 hours in the course of the semester. Client obligations must be met on a case by case basis; students should have flexibility in their schedules to meet the demands of their cases.
Clinic Faculty
Melissa Frydman
Assistant Clinical Professor
Family Advocacy Clinic Director
Professor Melissa Frydman joined the University of Illinois in April 2010 to develop and direct the new Family Advocacy Clinic. She has spent her career advocating for children and those who cannot afford legal representation. Prior to teaching, Professor Frydman represented children through legal services organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area for seven years. Learn more about Professor Frydman on her faculty page.
“Parents and children involved in the foster care system face some of the biggest societal challenges of our times: poverty, mental health issues, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Families are what make each of us who we are and shape the trajectory of our futures and those of our community. Students in the Family Advocacy Clinic have a chance to help those most in need and leave a lasting impact on each client. They also have a chance to learn important lawyering skills that will help them bring a client-centered focus and strong advocacy skills to any area of practice in their future legal careers.”
Melissa Frydman
Student Clinician Experiences
Paige Cawley ’25
“While doctrinal and theoretical classes are important, none of those law school classes taught me the skills I learned in the Family Advocacy Clinic. Reading a textbook doesn’t hold a candle to counseling real-life clients, appearing in court, attending meetings, and advocating for children and parents who are involved in the child-welfare system. Participating in the clinic made me feel more confident about my skills as an attorney, and I use those skills now doing the same work I did in the clinic. I would encourage every law student to participate in a clinic if they are able, as nothing else in law school can prepare for what it’s truly like being a lawyer.”
Steven Santamarina ‘24
“The Family Advocacy Clinic was an indispensable part of my law school experience. I left the clinic with the confidence of knowing that I had appeared on the record in a live court proceeding before graduating law school. I also developed valuable skills, such as fact investigation, communication with opposing parties, and client counseling. The clinic staff and leadership are there with you along the way to provide guidance, mentorship, and support. Although I am currently working in a different practice area, the skills I learned are transferable and I use lessons from my clinic experience every day. I would strongly encourage anyone who wants to leave law school feeling practice-ready to participate in the Family Advocacy Clinic.”
Professor Melissa Frydman and law student Steven Santamarina joined Catch the Beat from Market Street to discuss their work providing free legal services through the Family Advocacy Clinic in an episode from July 2024.