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Improving justice for children & their families

At Washburn University School of Law, our Children and Family Law Center is dedicated to preparing future lawyers to make a significant impact on families and children. Through rigorous training, advocacy and scholarship, our center equips students and the legal community with the skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality legal representation and drive positive change in family law.

Building a community of future family law leaders at Washburn Law

The Children and Family Law Center at Washburn Law is at the forefront of advancing family law through a comprehensive approach that combines skills-based training, dynamic programming and scholarly opportunities. Our center is committed to enhancing the quality of justice for children and families by providing students with hands-on training in essential legal skills, such as counseling, negotiation and mediation. Through a range of center-sponsored offerings, we bring together students, alumni and legal professionals, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to improving family law practice and outcomes.
Students gather around course material while studying and laughing.
Practitioners & scholars in residence

Our Practitioners in Residence program offers students, alumni, and local practitioners the invaluable opportunity to learn from leading family law professionals. Notable past practitioners include Mark Smith, a renowned family law attorney specializing who authored The Military Divorce Handbook, and Edward Kainen, '88, a Las Vegas family law attorney. These practitioners provide real-world insights and practical advice, enhancing the learning experience for our students and contributing to the professional growth of our alumni and the bar.

The Scholars in Residence program brings distinguished family law scholars to Washburn Law, offering unique opportunities for intellectual engagement and academic enrichment. Past scholars have included Cynthia Mabry-King, Howard University School of Law professor, and Fergus Ryan, an Irish law professor. These scholars conduct public lectures, faculty workshops and student seminars, fostering a deeper understanding of complex family law issues and advancing scholarly discourse in this critical field.

Prepare for a career in family law with Washburn’s specialized curriculum and certificate

For students wishing to specialize in family law, Washburn Law's children and family law program offers a comprehensive and practical education for students passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Our specialized curriculum, which includes a family law certificate, equips students with the expertise needed to excel in this field. Hands-on training opportunities are abundant, with options such as clinical experiences, externships and a J.D./MSW dual degree program in collaboration with the School of Applied Studies.

Our partnership with CASA of Shawnee County provides students with the chance to advocate for the best interests of children in the court system, gaining invaluable experience and making a positive impact in the community. By engaging in these diverse and enriching opportunities, students at Washburn Law are well-prepared to lead and innovate in the field of family law.
Student studying outdoors on blanket.
Strengthening families model: A family law research project

The Strengthening Families Model in a Legal Context project offers family law professionals valuable insights and practical strategies for promoting family well-being. Supported by the Kansas Children's Cabinet & Trust Fund, this six-part webinar series covers essential topics such as child development, domestic violence, and legal ethics. The project, researched and presented by Washburn Law students under the guidance of Professor Gillian Chadwick, provides practitioners with tools to better support families and improve legal outcomes.

This presentation defines the Strengthening Families Approach; explains the importance of the approach; and describes how the Strengthening Families Approach benefits attorneys, judges, and clients in the legal system.

This presentation focuses on aspects of child development and family systems that attorneys should know in order to provide effective representation to children. Topics covered include child development, capacity of the child, and family systems.

This presentation defines domestic violence and coercive control; explains how domestic violence and coercive control affect both adults and children; brings light to how the legal system disadvantages domestic violence survivors; and provides best practices for handling cases involving domestic violence and coercive control.

This presentation defines adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); discusses why attorneys should care; the prevalence of aces; the categories of ACEs; the effects of ACEs; and strategies that attorneys can use for working with and preventing ACEs.

This presentation introduces protective factors (i.e., factors that buffer stress from adversity and protect against challenges that can lead to abuse or neglect); gives examples of protective factors; and discusses how they relate to family law.

 

This presentation discusses the strengthening families model; the different actors in family law cases; the impacts of the strengthening families model on attorneys ethical obligations; and how attorneys can use the model to advocate better for their clients.
Center director Gillian Chadwick

Gillian Chadwick

Professor of Law