
Adoption 101 | Video Replay
This program will cover the basics of private adoptions (both infant and stepparent), foster care adoptions, voluntary agency adoptions, adult adoptions and international adoption (readoption…
Established in 1979, the Committee on Children and the Law is charged with the responsibility of rendering information and guidance to the Executive Committee, the legal community and the public on the effect of existing laws and pending legislation impacting children, and the administration of juvenile justice and child welfare.
In furthering its mission, the Committee:
August 20, 2025
Virtual Participation
This program will cover the basics of private adoptions (both infant and stepparent), foster care adoptions, voluntary agency adoptions, adult adoptions and international adoption (readoption…
May 12, 2025
Virtual Participation
Youth Suicide Prevention for the Family Law Practitioner
September 20, 2022
Virtual Participation
Summary of provisions regarding New York's Red Flag & Conceal Carry Law Changes.
September 20, 2022
Virtual Participation
This program will discuss biases that members of the Muslim, Orthodox Jewish and Hindu communities have encountered, and religious beliefs or cultural practices that lawyers…
August 23, 2022
Virtual Participation
While many children have received the COVID-19 vaccine in New York, some parents have objected to having their children vaccinated. Some disputes have arisen in…
June 14, 2022
Virtual Participation
The Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department presents cases for discussion involving complaints of professional misconduct, ethical situations frequently encountered in the daily…
April 25, 2022
Virtual Participation
This program will provide an overview of recent New York case law concerning custody and other disputes over whether children should receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
March 11, 2022
Virtual Participation
The Honorable Michele Pirro Bailey and Honorable Alicea Elloras-Ally will discuss the required court review of the QI assessment and determination.
Linda J. Kostin, Esq.
Chair - Committee on Children and the Law
Office Of Attorneys For Children, NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 4th Dept
Melissa E. Bonaldes, Esq.
Member
Melissa L. Breger, Esq.
100 - Member
Albany Law School
Douglas Broda, Esq.
Member
Douglas J Broda Attorney
June M. Castellano, Esq.
Member
Law Office of June Castellano
Lavonda S. Collins, Esq.
Member
The Legal Project
Hon. Michael A. Corriero
Member
New York Center For Juvenile Justice
Janet R. Fink, Esq.
Member
New York State Office Of Court Administration
Karen J. Freedman, Esq.
Member
Lawyers For Children
Lisa Audrey Freeman, Esq.
Member
LEGAL AID SOCIETY
Judith M. Gerber, Esq.
Member
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Lisa F. Grumet, Esq.
Member
New York Law School
Prof. Leah A. Hill
Member
Fordham University School of Law
Hon. Amy Joyce
Member
Albany County Family Court
Hon. Jill A. Kehn
100 - Member
Rensselaer County Family Court
John Kraigenow, Esq.
Member
Office for Attorneys for Children NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division 3rd Judicial Department
Betsy Kramer, Esq.
Member
Lawyers For Children Inc.
David J. Lansner, Esq.
Member
Lansner & Kubitschek
Hollie S. Levine, Esq.
Member
Broome County Family Court
Hon. Howard A. Levine
Member
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
Standards for representing children were initially developed for a New York State Bar Association Law Guardian Study in 1984 (Law Guardians in New York State: A Study of the Legal Representation of Children). Subsequently, the Committee on Children and the Law (formerly known as the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Committee) concluded that Bar Association adoption and distribution of the standards would prove beneficial to the bench and bar. The preparation of standards and commentaries represent an important aspect in improving representation, and in assisting the large number of attorneys who appear before the Family Court.
Links to the revised and updated standards are listed below:
Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in New York Combined File (2015) (170 pages)
Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in Adoption Proceedings (2015) (29 pages)
Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in Child Protective, Foster Care, Destitute Child and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings (2015) (35 pages)
Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in Custody, Visitation and Guardianship Proceedings (2015) (31 pages)
Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings (2015) (44 pages)
Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in Person in Need of Supervision Proceedings (2015) (23 pages)
To order copies of the NYSBA Child Support Pamphlet, click here.
For more information about the Committee on Children and the Law, contact Lena Faustel, Staff Liaison to the Committee at lfaustel@nysba.org.
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