Children’s Law Clinic Recognized at FL Bar Convention
Following years of tireless work on behalf of vulnerable youth, Stetson’s Child Advocacy Clinic was awarded Funding Florida Legal Aid’s Paul Doyle Children’s Advocacy Award.
The award honors donors, pro bono lawyers, and legal aid programs that support legal services for children. FFLA recognized the clinic during the 2025 Florida Bar Convention in June, noting that not all legal aid organizations or law schools have programs designed specifically for children.
“Providing opportunities for our students to work on behalf of minors who are unable to advocate for themselves during the most critical moments of their young lives is challenging but rewarding,” said Law Professor and Director of Clinical and Experiential Education Christine Cerniglia. “We greatly appreciate the recognition and look forward to supporting the important work the Public Defender’s Office does on behalf of our most vulnerable.”
A voice for the voiceless
Launched in 2012 after having been cofounded by the College of Law and then-Public Defender Bob Dillinger ’76, the program offers Stetson Law students the opportunity to work on cases involving at-risk youth. Its initial director was Steve Nelson, followed by Laura Snell in 2014.
Clinic leadership says the program helps fill a gap in the juvenile justice system, and can have a transformative effect.
“Providing express interest and holistic legal representation to a child is extremely gratifying, as you can deliver them real change,” said Ari Weisberg, Juvenile Division Director of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office (PD6), who has been overseeing the clinic since 2017. “An attorney for a child gives a voice to the voiceless, upholds children’s autonomy and agency, and builds trusting adult relationships. It is deeply fulfilling to know that your work supports the dignity of a child that may have no other champion.”
Igniting powerful career trajectories
Of the roughly three dozen students who have enrolled in the clinic, many have gone on to pursue careers in juvenile law, and now work at local legal aid organizations representing children in the child welfare system, the Department of Children and Families, the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, and Public Defender and State Attorney Offices across Florida.
The Florida Bar has recognized some alumni for their contribution to juvenile law. Some serve on the Legal Needs of Children Committee. One, 2018 alumna Taylor Sartor, has even created and published a handbook and related app called FosterPower to ensure that children in Florida’s foster care system know their rights.
Now an attorney at Bay Area Legal Services, Sartor said the Child Advocacy Clinic gave her invaluable experience that helped shape her career path, and that Weisberg remains an important mentor to her and fellow alumni who now help children in their daily work.
“This program gives law students the unique opportunity to not just learn how to be an effective advocate but also be able to put those skills into practice by representing clients,” Sartor said. “This recognition is very well deserved, and I highly recommend this clinic to anyone interested in becoming a children’s attorney.”
Real-world experience for aspiring advocates
While a student, 2024 alumna Mary Rose Maloney was interested in juvenile defense and dependency and was excited that the clinic offered crossover between the two. Sartor also suggested she apply for the clinic to prepare her for her current role as an attorney ad litem at Bay Area Legal Services.
Her work involved helping new clients understand how the delinquency court system works and representing them under the supervision of the attorneys in the office, which included preparing for trials.
One of her most impactful moments with the clinic was helping prevent a child from being “direct filed” (charged as an adult), which she said was particularly meaningful to her.
“The Child Advocacy Clinic was by far my favorite experience in law school,” Maloney said. “There is nothing more rewarding than protecting children’s rights as they navigate the system. Participating in the clinic helped me find where I belong in the legal field. I will forever be grateful for everything I learned at PD6.”
Learn more about Stetson Law’s Child Advocacy Clinic.
Learn more about Clinical and Experiential Education at Stetson Law.
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Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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