A Judge’s Guide

From 2005 through 2008, the Project awarded $200,000 in grants throughout the
country. The programs which received grants continue to do great work in this area and
have provided recommendations for other programs interested in doing similar work.
Resource/Technical Assistance
The project provided direct technical assistance to over 300 persons or entities.
The forms of assistance included helping set up new programs, helping design and
implement trainings, working with local courts, linking programs to other areas of
expertise, drafting legislation and court rules, identifying funding resources, developing
standards, and providing legal or policy research to help with reform efforts.
Child Custody Library
The Project collected, abstracted, catalogued and placed over 300 documents in
the Child Custody Resource Library. All of these documents are summarized and
catalogued in an online database, easily accessible from the Project’s web site.
Standards of Practice for Children’s Representatives in Custody Cases
The Project worked with the ABA Family Law Section to prepare and receive
approval of Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Children in Custody Cases.
These Standards were passed by the Family Law Section in May 2003 and adopted as
official ABA policy in August 2003. The Standards have been widely circulated and
many programs or jurisdictions are considering implementing all or parts of the
Standards.
The Project’s Director also served as an official Observer to the National
Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (“NCCUSL”) in its drafting of the
Uniform Representation of Children in Abuse, Neglect, and Custody Proceedings Act.
The Uniform Law Commission approved this Uniform Act in August 2007. The ABA
Family Law Section voted to support the Act in the March 2008. The Act will be
considered by the American Bar Association Board of Governors at its meeting in August
2008. It can be viewed at www.law.upenn.edu/bll/archives/ulc/rarccda/2007_final.htm.
Ann Liechty Child Custody Pro Bono Award
The Project worked with the Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service
to obtain ABA approval to establish an annual Ann Liechty Child Custody Pro Bono
Award. There have been six awards presented by the Project:
2002: Rebecca Rundgren, Denver, CO
2003: Jacqueline Valdespino, Miami, FL
2004: Toby Hollander, Portland, ME
2005: Deborah Ebel, Atlanta, GA
2006: Winston & Strawn, Chicago, IL
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