Diane Sumoski

Clinic Chief Madeleine Nelson is smiling after zoom court where she took two of our young clients across the finish line to have safe, loving, & permanent homes with relatives!

Another successful zoom hearing for our clinic client. Thank you Taylor and Chase for your advocacy!

Regrettably, not surprising: “(A)bout two-thirds of young people experiencing homelessness in Austin have either been involved in the foster care or juvenile justice systems. . . . moving from family to family, as some kids in the foster care system do, could be traumatizing.”

Child Welfare is an interdisciplinary practice so our clinic class includes presentations by other professionals. Dr. James Calvert from SMU psychology department helps us understand the psychological evaluations that are frequently used in our cases. Thanks Dr. Calvert!

“How I healed was I forgave.”  In his podcast episode, Rob Scheer shares his story of choosing to “give it all he’s got,” by defying hurtful labels and rising above abuse from his biological and foster parents. Listen to Rob’s episode for more! #agedout #fostercare #fosteryouth

Congratulations to the @TXChildrensComm newest Trial Skills Training graduates! So honored to be part of the faculty for this intensive excellent training for child welfare lawyers who want to improve their courtroom skills! Congrats also to the outstanding Commission staff 🏆

Another day in Child Advocacy Clinic representing our clients

NEW EPISODE ALERT: Tune in NOW to hear Jimmy Vaughn discuss how his background in foster care has inspired and shaped his path as an attorney! #agedout #fostercare #agedoutyouth #fosteryouth

Happy day at court. 🎉Student attorneys past and present gathering to witness and celebrate our client’s adoption! 💗

Clinic Chiefs are teaching the new Clinic Associates how to continue our podcast work - an opportunity for us to give voices to those who aged out of care AND an opportunity for our students to learn how to effectively communicate a story - an essential lawyering skill.

Thursday’s successful mediation is giving these student attorneys (and me). time for themselves this weekend rather than trial prep.

Orientation last Friday and representing our child clients in an online hearing today. This is how Clinical education trains students to practice real law! Congratulations Sierra, Sarah, and Mackenzie for jumping right in and doing it right!

Child Advocacy Clinic Orientation- zooming in to our workroom a foster parent, CASA advocates, a parent who got her kids back, and a caseworker. Real people who experience the system. This is clinical learning for aspiring lawyers. 🤯

I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak at the TX State Bar’s Advanced Family Law Conference last week re: seeking second opinions on mental health issues and accessing trauma-informed services. A terrific conference and forum to discuss this critical issue for foster kids

It’s a beautiful morning to contemplate this afternoon’s graduation ceremony for the SMU law students —particularly for those I’ve had the privilege of getting to know and teach. I’m filled with hope for their bright futures as the sun emerges.

Yesterday’s pro bono honor roll reception had one professor beaming as she watched 6 of her students be recognized for serving our community with over 200 hours of pro bono service while in law school. Only regret: I wasn’t quick enough to get pictures of them all!

I had my last meeting today with these three awesome Spring 2024 Child Advocacy Clinic Chief Counsel. 🥲 Bravo for the great work they did and their “can do” spirits! The employer who snaps them up will be lucky indeed. ⁦@SMULawSchool⁩ ⁦@SMULawClinics⁩

Session 2 of the Child Welfare Resources Virtual CLE Series 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟖. Topic: "Flourishing Families & The Magdalen House," with speakers Kady Younkman, Selena Miles, and Jacqueline Cassell. MCLE 1.00. Register at buff.ly/49mznvI

Lawyer words - per Spring 2024 Child Advocacy Class. Not intending to brag, but I feel like a good professor.