In an old brick building on Russell Street in Covington, KY, you will find a group of people who love what they do.
Whether they are fighting to protect children’s rights or to uplift their voices in large-scale policy advocacy, every person at the Children's Law Center (CLC) has a passion for helping our nation's most vulnerable. CLC is a unique firm that specializes in working with children and recognizing young people’s unique risk factors.
When it comes to children, every detail matters. Each attorney is adamant about utilizing trauma-informed practices to ease the stress of legal processes. Every child represented by CLC can know that they will have someone by their side who will listen to them, explain the process to them, and do everything possible to fight for their health, safety, and happiness.
As a 1L student interested in working with children, applying for a summer internship at CLC was one of the best decisions I could have made. Although I initially expected to only be here for two months, my summer internship expanded into almost a whole year of experience. Now, as a rising 3L law student, I can clearly outline three of the most important values of this firm:
Protection
CLC has a passion for protecting children who cannot advocate for themselves. Whether it is a case involving educational barriers or serious abuse, attorneys here utilize individual legal advocacy to give children a voice in a multitude of legal proceedings. CLC staff are specialists in their field who understand and appreciate the sensitive nature of the cases that they see. The attorneys here see children at what is often their lowest point, and they do what they can to help all clients feel comfortable, safe, and supported.
The legal system is often incredibly stressful, especially for children. Frequently, CLC’s young clients are upset, scared, and confused. CLC attorneys have age-appropriate conversations with clients to make sure they understand everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen in their case. Attorneys also utilize trauma-informed practices to learn about each child's individual needs and ensure that no aspect of a child’s situation is overlooked. Additionally, this office believes that no child should lack access to vital legal services due to finances—and represents its clients for free. Overall, CLC works to protect children from individual and systemic harms.
Preparation for the Next Generation
The staff at CLC truly do all they can to prepare interns for the legal field. Law students are seen not just as interns, but as future attorneys. Regardless of how experienced you are with the court system, CLC is just as invested in your experience, education, and overall future as you are. I was able to gain hands-on experience in several areas through research, drafting, and personal involvement in cases. CLC ensured that each of us had opportunity to get involved with work we were interested in by allowing us to request projects in desired fields. CLC attorneys gave feedback on all the work we did and truly made us feel like our input mattered, so we each felt like an actual member of the team.
CLC goes beyond just giving interns research and work. Aside from research and drafting experience, staff made it a priority to prepare students for practice by teaching them crucial skills and information. The staff regularly exposed students to educational opportunities and connections with local legal networks. As an intern, I met with countless local professionals and visited correctional centers to learn about prevalent issues in the community. I was also able to learn about proper ways to handle cases with children, such as methods of communication, how to recognize signs of abuse, and trauma-informed representation. I quickly found myself enjoying every day at CLC and becoming more interested in whatever project I would take on next. The attorneys at CLC do all they can to prepare students like me for our futures.
Persistence
CLC persists in the name of helping children and recognizes that solving the problem does not stop with individual advocacy. This office attacks the issues that children face with a multi-angle approach. The CLC encourages continuous learning and recognizes that awareness is the first step to making a widespread, lasting change. Staff here coordinate various educational events on local and regional levels to inform attendees about issues in various legal systems that affect our children—and what each of us can do to help.
CLC’s services also do not stop when a child turns 18. Attorneys coordinate with local organizations, such as Lighthouse Youth & Family Services, to provide legal service to young people, age 18-25, who need legal barriers removed to promote health, safety, and success. In addition, CLC attorneys address the need for policy reform in correctional facilities, so that those incarcerated receive proper, humane, rehabilitative treatment. Overall, CLC is incredibly persistent in achieving justice for children at all angles—and it is a perfect example that a firm does not have to be big to effect massive change.
Here at CLC, attorneys are more than just legal counsel for clients; they are friends, educators, and advocates. Attorneys make it a priority to give every case their all and make every client feel heard. CLC’s staff maintain a welcoming environment to comfort clients that need it. Beyond individual advocacy, CLC brings awareness to important issues and calls for all of us to do better for our kids. For law students, CLC provides education and mentors to help us in our legal journeys. My time at CLC has improved my skills, experience, and understanding of the issues within the field. I truly believe that I will be a better attorney because of this experience. Thank you, CLC, for being more than a law firm—but a family that welcomes clients, students, and community with open arms.
This article was written by Olivia Graas. Olivia joined Children's Law Center as a summer intern in May of 2024. Olivia has a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University. Currently, Olivia is completing her second year of law school at Chase College of Law.
Before interning at CLC, Olivia worked as a legal assistant at the Garrard County Attorney's Office in Lancaster, KY. It was there that she developed her passion for helping children in need. Olivia is interested in addressing the policies and practices used by media and tech companies that harm our nation's youth.