Firm: Hale, Dewey, Knight PLLC
65 Union Ave Fl 9 , Memphis , Tennessee 38103
Practice Areas: Bankruptcy, Civil , Juvenile
Firm: Memphis and Shelby County Juvenile Court
616 Adams Avenue , Memphis , Tennessee 38105
Practice Areas: Juvenile
I am a dedicated legal professional with extensive experience in child welfare law, juvenile justice, and family law. In my current role as Administrator of the Child Welfare Division at the Juvenile Court of Memphis & Shelby County, I oversee critical services related to dependency, neglect, custody, and foster care, ensuring the protection and well-being of over 1,500 children in foster care. I also supervise legal teams, including the Office of Non-Custodial Advocate and the Office of Guardian ad Litem, providing vital support to children and families navigating the legal system.. With a background as a Court Improvement Attorney at the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts and Assistant General Counsel for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, I have led legal research, policy development, and educational initiatives aimed at improving child welfare systems. I also have hands-on experience in representing the state in complex cases involving termination of parental rights and child abuse, while ensuring procedural fairness as a Special Hearing Officer for TennCare disenrollment hearings.. I am passionate about advancing child welfare law through education, advocacy, and systemic reform. As a Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist and former State Coordinator for the National Association of Counsel for Children, I have led over 25 CLE sessions and participated in numerous trainings on juvenile and family law topics to ensure that professionals are well-equipped to advocate for children and families in crisis.. I am always open to connecting with professionals and organizations working to improve legal services and outcomes for children and families in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.. Areas of Expertise:. Child Welfare Law. Juvenile Court Systems. Legal Research & Policy Development. Foster Care & Child Protection. Legal Advocacy & Representation. Continuing Legal Education (CLE). Systemic Reform in Child Welfare. Certifications:. Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist, National Association of Counsel for Children. Affiliations:. Member, Tennessee Bar. Member, National Association of Counsel for Children
