Business Details
49 Years
experience
Legal Advocacy for Childrens Rights in Massachusetts
Since 1977, the Childrens Law Center Of Massachusetts has provided zealous legal representation and holistic advocacy for low-income children and youth. Our attorneys specialize in four core practice areas: education, immigration, family integrity, and youth justice, ensuring equitable access to critical services and legal protections. With decades of experience, we combine direct client representation with strategic litigation and policy work to address systemic barriers affecting vulnerable populations.Our team of certified attorneys and advocates prioritizes client-centered approaches, cultural sensitivity, and community partnerships to amplify childrens voices in legal proceedings. As a trusted legal institution, we maintain rigorous professional standards while advancing equity through training programs, technical assistance, and public education initiatives statewide.
Services
Education Legal Services
Immigration Representation
Family Integrity Advocacy
Youth Justice Defense
Strategic Litigation
Policy Advocacy
Technical Assistance
Community Partnerships
Details
- Year established: 1977
Highlights and features
- We have over 45 years of experience advocating for Massachusetts childrens legal rights
- Our attorneys specialize in four core practice areas affecting youth equity
- We implement a client-directed holistic advocacy model for lasting impact
- Our team includes CPCS-certified specialists in juvenile legal matters
- We combine direct representation with systemic policy reform initiatives
Services
Education Legal Services
Our education practice protects students rights through legal representation in school discipline cases, special education disputes, and enrollment challenges. We address systemic barriers to quality education while partnering with healthcare providers for integrated solutions. Our attorneys advocate for policy changes that promote equitable access to learning opportunities for all Massachusetts youth.
Immigration Representation
We provide comprehensive immigration legal services for unaccompanied minors and youth victims of trauma through special immigrant juvenile status, asylum, and DACA applications. Our holistic approach includes collateral legal support for related matters while advocating for broader immigration policy reforms across Massachusetts.
Family Integrity Advocacy
Our family integrity practice represents children in foster care and those at risk of removal through court-appointed CPCS-certified attorneys. We advocate for stable family relationships while supporting young adults aging out of the foster care system with specialized legal protections and transition services.
Youth Justice Defense
We offer zealous legal representation for youth in delinquency proceedings at both trial and appellate levels. Our client-directed advocacy focuses on reducing state intervention harms while promoting restorative justice approaches that keep youth connected to their communities and educational opportunities.
Strategic Litigation
Through strategic litigation, we challenge systemic inequities in child welfare, education, and immigration systems. Our advocacy combines individual case representation with broader legal challenges to discriminatory practices while collaborating with community partners to drive institutional change.
People
Jenny Chou
Executive Director
Jenny Chou brings extensive legal experience in education equity and racial justice to her role as Executive Director, previously serving as Deputy Director at South Coastal Counties Legal Services and holding leadership positions at multiple legal aid organizations.
Claire Valentin
Managing Director of Innovation and Advocacy
Claire Valentin leads strategic advocacy initiatives with over a decade of experience in immigration law and child welfare, including teaching immigration law at Boston College Law School and directing KIND's Boston field office before returning to CLCM.
Emily Paradise
Senior Attorney
Emily Paradise specializes in appellate representation for children in care and protection cases, combining courtroom experience with policy advocacy. She previously served as Assistant Attorney General and Assistant District Attorney before joining CLCM's legal team.
Dan Wells
Staff Attorney
Dan Wells focuses on immigration matters with a background in pro bono immigration work at Ropes & Gray LLP and volunteer experience with UK youth organizations, bringing both corporate legal expertise and grassroots advocacy to his CLCM practice.
Lauren Russell
Co-Director of Strategic Advocacy
Lauren Russell leads systemic advocacy efforts with prior experience in youth defense litigation and strategic litigation units, recognized for her work in juvenile justice reform and recipient of the Tenacious Initiative Award from the Department of Youth Services.
Questions
What areas of law does CLCM specialize in?
We focus on four core areas: education rights, immigration protections, family integrity cases, and youth justice defense for children aged 0-22 across Massachusetts.
Do you represent parents or caregivers?
No, our legal services specifically represent children and youth directly, not their parents or guardians in family law matters.
What income requirements apply for services?
Clients must meet federal poverty guidelines for legal aid eligibility or qualify for court-appointed representation in specific cases.
Do you offer services statewide?
While our office serves Essex County directly, we provide legal advocacy and technical assistance across Massachusetts through partnerships and remote support.
What training resources do you provide?
We offer professional development programs for attorneys, educators, and child advocates focused on childrens legal rights and best advocacy practices.
