STATEMENT OF INTEREST
Gen Justice works in legislatures and courtrooms nationwide to advance and protect the constitutional rights of abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Gen Justice has been instrumental in shepherding numerous reforms through state legislatures to improve child welfare systems, including landmark legislation in Arizona to guarantee independent, client-directed legal counsel for every child in foster care throughout their dependency proceedings, replacing Arizona’s system where attorneys served as guardian ad litems (GALs). And through its children’s law clinic, Gen Justice provides pro bono legal assistance to hundreds of children and families annually, including direct representation and legal training regarding the dependency process and the rights of children and families involved in foster care. This case is of special importance to Gen Justice, as it implicates a core mission of the organization—to strengthen children’s constitutional right to legal counsel throughout their abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings.