Message from the Director, Melissa Carter Welcome to the Barton Child Law and Policy Center at Emory University School of Law. Our mission is to promote and protect the legal rights and interests of children involved with the juvenile court, child welfare and juvenile justice systems; to inspire excellence and integrity among the professionals and within the institutions that serve children; and to prepare the next generation of lawyers. Please explore this site to learn more about how our faculty, students and alumni are positively impacting children’s lives through the provision of high quality legal representation and achieving systemic reform through research-based policy development and legislative advocacy. The Barton Center’s three in-house legal clinics afford students a unique opportunity to integrate legal theory with law practice in a collaborative, interdisciplinary setting. Our students receive instruction in lawyering skills and practice those skills in courtrooms, legislative committee hearings, and administrative settings under close faculty supervision. As they are exposed to the social context against which laws operate, student attorneys in our clinics also gain critical insights into how laws impact vulnerable members of society. The experiences of advising real individual and organizational clients, conducting research and developing reform strategies, arguing before a judge or negotiating a plea, and resolving ethical and strategic challenges as they unfold in complex matters prepares our students for successful and fulfilling careers. The Barton Center also serves as a resource for practitioners and policymakers committed to justice for children. We provide specialized training and consultation to juvenile court, child welfare and juvenile justice professionals and engage in systemic advocacy at the state and national levels. Visit the other pages on this site to better understand how together, through strategic partnerships and individual dedication, we can ensure justice and safety for all children.

News from the Barton Center

2014 Emory Summer Child Advocacy Program

We are now accepting applications from students for our 2014 program. Details and application instructions may be found on our "About" page or by clicking on ESCAP2014. Deadline to apply is Thursday, December 12, 2013.

Special collaboration with Department of Juvenile Justice and the Governor's Office for Children and Families.

Recently, the Barton Center collaborated with DJJ and GOCF to bring together several presenters for a "Forum to Increase Evidence-Based Practices by Addressing Disparities in the System - Part II." This presentation is available for viewing at our Emory Law School Presentations page.

On Wed., Dec. 11, from 12:00-2:00 pm, the discussion of Disparate Minority Contact will continue via a live webinar. Viewers may participate by clicking on www.youtube.com/user/elsclasstech a few minutes before noon. Presenters will address questions received in advance about the first presentation "Forum to Increase Evidence-Based Practices" during the webinar. Viewers should view the first video, then email questions to samantha.wolf(at)children.ga.gov. View the flyer here.

Child at Risk

April 2012: The April 2012 issue of EmoryWire Newsletter highlights the important work of children's advocates raising awareness for protecting children's human rights. Read the article.

Child Welfare Legal Academy

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 - The Honorable Gerald Bruce, Enotah Judicial Circuit will be our Visiting Scholar in Practice. Judge Bruce will present on child hearsay in juvenile court proceedings. This program will be available at Emory Law School only. A recording of the presentation will be available after November 5th. Click on register, to see more details and register for the Academy.

To view past presentations, visit our videos by clicking on this link.

Psychotropic Medication Report

February 2012: The Barton Center, in collaboration with Casey Family Programs and the Child Welfare Collaborative, has prepared a report on the monitoring of psychotropic medication use by youth in foster care. Read the report.

Support the Barton Center

Make a Donation
Your contribution directly supports the work of the Barton Child Law and Policy Center to improve the lives of abused, neglected, and court-involved children. Thank you for your generous support. Our work would not be possible without community contributions.

One Advisory Committee Member's Story
Stephen F. Fusco 98C 01L raises funds for the Barton Center, saying “The Barton Child Law and Policy Center was my single best experience in law school.”