Children's Law Center of Minnesota Celebrates Twelve Years of Making

NEWS

Volume V, No. 3 Newsletter of Children’s Law Center of Minnesota Spring 2008

Children’s Law Center of Minnesota Celebrates Twelve Years of Making Children’s Voices Heard

Children’s Law Center of Minnesota CLC also (CLC) celebrated its 12th anniversary at honored the the Millennium Hotel Minneapolis on law firms of October 18, 2007. Merchant & Amy Brenneman, co-creator, Gould, and executive producer and star of Judging Zelle Amy, received the Rosalie E. Wahl Hofmann Justice for Children Award presented by Voelbel last year’s award winner, former Chief Mason & Justice Kathleen Blatz. In Judging Amy, Gette for their Brenneman portrayed juvenile court as a dedication to place “extending to every child a sense of pro bono legal compassion where justice prevails.” services for Brenneman’s parents, the Honorable children. Frederica and Russell Brenneman, Zelle accepted the award on her behalf, and Hofmann Amy sent an acceptance video which was Voelbel shown at the Benefit. Mason & Another award recipient was Roy Gette has Actress Amy Brenneman accepts CLC’s Rosalie E. Wahl Justice for Children Magnuson, a history and social studies had a Award by video. teacher at Como Park Senior High partnership with CLC since 2000, and foster care system, shared her experience School. Magnuson received the Hero for Merchant & Gould lawyers began in the system and explained what lawyers Children Award for his work with a volunteering for CLC in 2002. Lawyers can do to help children. diverse group of students. He went above from both firms have given substantial During the celebration, live and beyond the call of duty as a teacher, hours of pro bono representation to and silent auctions featured such items as even offering study sessions on nights children in the foster care system and a weekend get-away to Majorca, Spain, and weekends for students planning to have helped children to have a voice in an art commission, and scripts of Judging take the AP exams, many of whom were proceedings where life-changing Amy signed by Amy Brenneman. CLC not always “typical” AP students. decisions are made for them. The quality has made a difference in the lives of over of their 1,200 children since 1995, thanks to representation hundreds of volunteers, including nearly has been of the 270 pro bono lawyers. highest caliber and makes a difference to the children. During CLC’s Inside This Issue Celebration and Benefit, From the Executive Director …...... 2 Michelle, a CLC Volunteer and CLC News …….... 3-5 client who now helps CLC train Donations Received …………...... 6-7 volunteer lawyers to Heroes for Children Nominations ... 8 represent children in the Save-the-Dates ………………….. . 8 Left to right: Gail Chang Bohr, CLC Executive Director, Tom Sheran, volunteer lawyer, former Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz, and Wheelock Whitney. From the Executive Director

institutions or working. They are rightly proud of their success. Their CLC lawyers are pleased to hear from their former clients and are proud of Children’s Law Center News their accomplishments. is a publication of Children’s Law Cen- We also wonder about those chil- ter of Minnesota, 450 N. Syndicate dren whose path through the foster Street, Suite 315, St. Paul, MN 55104- 4106; 651.644.4438; www.clcmn.org. care system was not smooth. CLC Staff occasionally gets phone calls from Gail Chang Bohr …………………... former clients who need a referral to Gail Chang Bohr Executive Director an adult shelter because the child is Anne Tyler Gueinzius………...... October 2008 marks 13 years since now over 18 and is homeless. Staff Attorney CLC opened for operation and an- We know that children in foster Angela Montgomery Montez ..……. other milepost in our representation of care do better if there is a consistent Staff Attorney Lori Semke …………………………. children. The children we started rep- adult in their lives whom they trust. Staff Attorney resenting in 1997, over ten years ago, CLC’s policy is that clients have the Weida Allen ………………………... are growing up. Many “aged out” of same lawyer for the duration of their Staff Social Worker the system when they became 18 case. We believe it is the consistency Dawn Tschida Cockrell ...... years old. Some are in post- of the relationship that the lawyer and Executive Assistant secondary education, technical child client develop that is indispensa- Tricia Kiefer ……………………..… Development Manager schools or four-year colleges. Youth ble to the development of trust. In- Board of Directors in Transition conferences and detailed deed, the lawyer becomes a trusted Thomas Fraser, President independent living plans helped many adult in their client’s life. Marianne Remedios, Vice President, to begin to plan for their future so that Children need to feel that they Finance, Treasurer they could feel they had some control belong and are connected to others. Jody Alholinna, Secretary over their lives. However, for many, With the loss of the parental relation- Peter Hendrixson, Past President the path has not been as clear or as ship, CLC has always advocated on Lilian N. Ejebe straight. They leave foster care with- the individual and systems level for Lisa Fulton out education or job skills or without the preservation of the sibling rela- Gerald Hendrickson Andrew Horstman tionship whether it is placement to- even the things that children not in Cyrenthia Jordan foster care take for granted. Things gether or continued contact through- Katie Crosby Lehmann such as a copy of their birth certifi- out the children’s minority if they are Robert Leonard cate, social security card, identifica- placed separately. The sibling rela- Alan Maclin tion card, driver’s license and medical tionship will survive the parent-child Irene M. Opsahl insurance card remain elusive to relationship. Contact agreements be- John Randolph many who have left foster care. tween siblings, if they are adopted James Reece Here at CLC, we are always separately, must be the norm in order Carlos Rivera pleased to hear from the children we to help them maintain their sibling Nancy Wiltgen represented even after the court has relationship. They need their lawyer dismissed jurisdiction and their law- to help them formulate and advocate tioned CLC for this special mention. yer has “closed” the case. Even for such contact if their worker does In the area of developing child- though the matter has ended and a not initiate an agreement to help them client relationships, CLC is on the formal closing letter is sent, the maintain contact with siblings. cutting edge. CLC participated with volunteer lawyer often lets the child CLC’s legal representation of chil- the American Bar Association (ABA) know that CLC is interested in dren is held in high regard due to its Section of Litigation in the develop- knowing how things are going for the standards of excellence and dedicated ment and production of the teaching child. While CLC currently has no staff and volunteer lawyers. CLC was DVD, “Interviewing the Child Cli- formal mechanism for tracking the honored to be specifically mentioned ent.” CLC will be presenting this child after the child has left the sys- in the Minnesota Supreme Court Pro video at the ABA/NLADA Equal Jus- tem, the number of children who do Bono CLE Order granting CLE cred- tice Conference in Minneapolis, May call their lawyer after the case is its for pro bono work. The quality of 7–9, 2008. closed is remarkable. CLC’s work, case management, su- The children, now young adults, pervision of lawyers, and accountabil- Gail Chang Bohr, Esq. may be enrolled in post-secondary ity to its clients and the courts posi- Executive Director 2 Children’s Law Center of Minnesota CLC clients stay in touch with their lawyers

Left: T.H. and License, among other requests. All of Nancy Wiltgen, the relief requested was granted, and a partner, Leo- guardian ad litem was appointed. nard, Street As the case developed over the and Deinard. year, an aunt and uncle in Georgia The photo was taken in her were located and expressed a office in July, willingness to take custody. After a 2007, when trial visit with them over Thanksgiv- T .H. surprised ing, T.H. moved to Georgia at Christ- her with a visit mas-time and custody was formally while in St. transferred to them. T.H. lived with Paul visiting his relatives in Georgia for two years former foster and later moved to Chicago to live parents and with another aunt. In June, 2007, other friends. For Nancy, seeing T.H. again, grown up, taller, but with a face she will T.H. graduated with honors from high never forget, was the highlight of her summer and truly a moment to treasure. school in Chicago and entered At 11 years old, T.H. contacted agreed to represent T.H. She worked college. His goal is to become a CLC for help. His mother’s live-in quickly to gather information to file a social worker who helps children. boyfriend repeatedly physically private Child in Need of Protection or abused him. He and his two older Services (CHIPS) Petition. Then, CLE Credits for Pro Bono siblings were exposed daily to drug T.H.’s mother voluntarily placed him and alcohol abuse in their home. The in a shelter and the county declined to On January 31, 2008, the Minne- children also suffered from severe proceed with the CHIPS petition. sota Supreme Court amended the neglect. Frequently, there was no T.H., however, was terrified at the Minnesota Continuing Legal food in the home, no electricity for shelter and wanted to stay with Education (CLE) Rules to allow months, no clean clothes and a neighbors who had regularly cared for CLE credits for pro bono hours. generally absent mother. T.H. often him. After six days in the shelter, Children's Law Center of sought refuge with neighbors and at T.H.’s mother visited him at school Minnesota is specifically men- the neighborhood community center. and became concerned about T.H. tioned as a legal services provider T.H.’s abuse and neglect had been staying at the shelter. She agreed to for whom pro bono hours qualify reported to child protection let him stay with the neighbors. for CLE credits. The new rules go authorities without results. When his Wiltgen then filed the private into effect on July 1, 2008. mother planned to move out of state CHIPS petition which was set for a with the abusive boyfriend, T.H. him- hearing by the court. She also moved self called CLC to represent him. for an order placing T.H. in foster CLC volunteer attorney, Nancy care with his neighbors, who were Just Released!

Wiltgen, Leonard, Street and Deinard, granted an emergency foster care Interviewing the Child Client, a new DVD presented by the Ameri- can Bar Association Section of CLC volunteer Gary Hansen wins Pro Bono Award Litigation Children’s Rights Litigation Committee, has just been released. This video provides Long time volunteer attorney, Gary Hansen, Oppen- practical guidance and demonstra- heimer Wolff & Donnelly, is the recipient of this tions of techniques that can help year’s Hennepin County Bar Association’s Pro lawyers work effectively with their Bono Publico Award for Excellence by a Private child clients. CLC is incorporating Sector Attorney. Hansen is chair of Oppenheimer’s this video into its training sessions Business Litigation Practice. He was one of CLC’s for new attorneys. Professionals first volunteers, beginning in 1997, and has given who work with children will find hundreds of pro bono hours representing more than the video a helpful tool in their Gary Hansen, Esq. a dozen children. Mr. Hansen has also been a work. Copies are available from Oppenheimer Wolff & Ramsey County foster parent and a volunteer for Donnelly the ABA. Special Olympics.

Children’s Law Center of Minnesota 3 CLC welcomes new CLC celebrates 12 years board members

Tom Fraser, partner at Fredrikson & Byron, was recently elected President of Children’s Law Center of Minnesota’s (CLC) Board of Directors. Tom is also a CLC volunteer lawyer and participated as faculty for CLC’s NITA training in 2006. In 2007, he received the Hennepin County Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes an individual for career-long work on behalf of the community. With over 30 years experience, Tom practices principally in corporate and com- Left to right: Sheila Johnson, Erin McGillivray, Elaine McGil- mercial litigation. He has been appointed a special livray, volunteer lawyer, Louise Wilson, and Mary Walker. master, referee, receiver, arbitrator and mediator in both federal and state courts. Tom is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation, and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

Jim Reece is a partner at Zelle Hofmann Voelbel Mason & Gette and has been engaged for more than 30 years in complex litigation throughout the United States and other countries. Jim has been a CLC volunteer since 2002. Jim not only helps to recruit volunteer lawyers for CLC, he is often aware of Left to right:Peter Hendrixson, past CLC Board President, Hon- children who are in need of representation and brings orable Frederica Brenneman, and Professor Richard Bohr. them to CLC’s attention. Jim has served on commit- tees devoted to juvenile issues and as a mentor to law students. He has worked on various pro bono pro- jects and lectured at law schools and legal seminars.

Nancy Wiltgen is a partner at Leonard, Street and Deinard in the Business and Commercial Litiga- tion and Estates and Trusts Litigation practice groups. Nancy has been a volunteer attorney with CLC since 1997. In 2003, Nancy received the Pro Bono Publico Award for Excellence by a Private Sec- tor Attorney from the Hennepin County Bar Associa- Left to right: Special guest, Russell Brenneman, father of Amy tion for her work representing abused and neglected Brenneman, and Andrew Horstman, CLC Board member and children. volunteer lawyer.

CLC thanks the generous contributors to our auctions that made the annual celebration and benefit such a success!

Stacey Abdouch, Rocco Altobelli, Bachman’s, Ballet of the Joan Linck, Alan Maclin, Rachel McDonough, Minnesota Dolls, Mark Bender, Bibelot, Gail Chang Bohr, Amy Brenne- Dance Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Roller Girls, man, Jessica Brokaw & Kevin Manz, Café Latte, Mayor Cole- Senator Mee Moua, John Randolph, Red Balloon, Deb man, Amy Culbert, Denise Doll-Kiefer, Dorsey & Whitney, Randolph, Science Museum of Minnesota, Tricia Schweitzer, Downtown Dogs, Lilian Ejebe, Tom Fraser, Lou and Carol Marianne Remedios, Mayor Rybak, Stella’s, Smart Woman Frillman, Graves 601 Hotel, Great Harvest Bakery, Haskell’s, Company, St. Paul Orchestra, Mary Vasaly, Jill Wald, Walker Perri Hite, Andy Horstman, Mark Kuklow, Lisa Fulton, Illu- Art Center, Nancy Wiltgen, YoungQuest. sion Theater, Initially Yours, The International Wolf Center, Suzanne Janse-Vreeling, Garrison Keillor, Tom Letscher, (CLC regrets if we have inadvertently omitted any names.)

4 Children’s Law Center of Minnesota Sibling Connections Matter It is well known among mental such cases, contact of some kind adoptive parents to craft a “sibling health researchers that the sibling can be maintained. contact agreement” in order to relationship is unique and may in There are six children in the continue ongoing sibling contact fact be even more influential than Martin family. CLC was appointed whenever siblings are separated by the parent-child relationship in to represent the three older siblings adoption. contributing to healthy growth and who were adolescents and who, CLC has also advocated for development.1 Sibling relation- because of their individual special legislation that protects a child’s ships are the longest lasting needs, were not placed together in right to preserve his or her sibling relationships that most people have, care. In contrast, the three younger relationships. Nevertheless, even most often even surviving the siblings were all under the age of with a signed contact agreement, it parent-child relationship. The sib- eight and were placed together in is still up to the adoptive parents to ling bond provides its own special foster care. Parental rights had facilitate the ongoing contacts. support system for children raised been terminated prior to CLC’s Failure to honor the contact in generally well-adjusted fami- appointment and the children were agreement means that the siblings lies.2 That bond may be even wards of the state. CLC’s first task are not able to continue their rela- stronger for siblings raised in was to ensure there were visits tionship unless they bring an action adverse circumstances because among the siblings. Later, when to enforce the agreement. siblings are the support system that the foster parents of the three It is therefore important for helps them to cope with problems.3 younger children wanted to adopt judges to ensure agreements are in Indeed, an estimated 56% to them, there was a request to place at the time of the adoption. It 85% of children placed in foster permanently separate the siblings. is also incumbent upon adoption care are members of sibling CLC represented the older children workers to recruit families who groups.4 National studies indicate in this matter. Initially, the three understand the importance of the that up to 75% of children are older children objected to the sibling relationship. Moreover, separated from at least one of their separation and the Minnesota adoption workers must also work to siblings when placed in foster Department of Human Services help children, who come into the care.5 Siblings separated in foster (DHS) denied the separation foster care system with so few care are at higher risk for a number request, urging the county to con- healthy family connections, of negative outcomes, including tinue its efforts to find a family to maintain the sibling relationships placement disruption, running take all six children. that can provide them with a sense away, and aging out.6 Eventually, DHS permitted the of identity, continuity, and support. For these reasons, Children’s separation when the county was not 1 Law Center of Minnesota (CLC) able to locate a prospective See Jayne Schooler, When Siblings Are advocates for siblings in foster care adoptive family for all the children. Separated, ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, Dec. to be placed together and, when Nevertheless, DHS noted that the 1997, at 14-19; Emily Kernan, Keeping Siblings Together, Past, Present, and that is not feasible, for them to county should “recruit adoptive Future, 26 YOUTH LAW NEWS 1 (2005). maintain ongoing contact and families willing and able to 2 See supra note 1. visits. Minnesota has laws and facilitate on-going contact between 3 See supra note 1. rules to reinforce the principle of the siblings as therapeutically 4 University of Minnesota, Center for siblings being placed together. For recommended.” When the younger Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, example, Minnesota requires sibling group was to be adopted, a Siblings in Foster Care: Maintaining placing siblings together in foster contact agreement between all the the Ties that Bind, CASCW PRACTICE care whenever possible and siblings was drafted to ensure that NOTES, Issue No. 9, Fall 2000. 5 Id. appropriate. If siblings are not they would be able to maintain 6 Mark E. Courtney, Ada Skyles, Gina placed together in care, Minnesota their sibling relationship. Miranda, Andrew Zinn, Eroni Howard, law requires the court to set Sibling separation is not an issue & Robert M. Goerge, Youth Who Run reasonable visitation for relatives, unique to this family. Where the Away from Out-of-Home Care, CHAPIN including siblings.7 An exception Commissioner of Human Services HALL CENTER FOR CHILDREN ISSUE has authorized the separation of BRIEF #103 (March 2005). may be necessary where there is 7 concern that one sibling may pose a siblings, CLC works with the MINN. STAT. § 260C.201, subd. 5 safety risk to another, but even in county agency and the prospective (2007).

Children’s Law Center of Minnesota 5 Dennis Daley Robert & Lisa Brabbit On behalf of the Board of Direc- Julie Daulton Martha Brand tors and staff at CLC, thank you, James R. & Yvonne C. Dorsey Rochelle Brandl donors and volunteers, for your John F. Eisberg and Susan Kline Hon. Tanya Bransford generosity. Your steadfast sup- Charitable Fund of The Hon. Frederica S. Brenneman port makes it possible for CLC to Minneapolis Foundation Amy Brosnahan continue to make Minnesota Dr. Gabriel and Lilian Ejebe Jennie & Walter Brown children’s voices heard and to Brad Engdahl David Bunker, in memory of make a difference in their lives. Larry Espel & Cynthia George Ludcke Tom Fraser and Gail Chang Bohr Hasselbusch Walter Burk Charles & Anne Hayssen Mark Carpenter & Ann Donations received from Greene Espel Ferrell Kraemer January 1, 2007 through Richard & Deirdre Abbey Jack & Melinda Fribley Carolyn Chalmers & Eric Janus December 31, 2007 Hagstrom John & Virginia Greenman Dr. Elizabeth Chang (Names not appearing will Hennepin County Bar Hinshaw & Culbertson Hon. Regina M. Chu be in the next issue). Foundation Sheila & Ronald Johnson Andrew & Sandra Clark Andrew Horstman Sam Kaplan Community Health Charities Champion ($10,000+) Kent Kelley & Mary Louise Kennedy & Graven Fund F.R. Bigelow Foundation Beardsley Denise Kettleberger & Clarance Hon. John & Phebe Connolly Otto Bremer Foundation Kelly & Berens, in memory of Smith R. Kirkland Cozine & Elizabeth Grotto Foundation George Ludcke Paul & Kelly Koziol Short Lawyer Trust Account Board Randy & Mary King Mark & Sara Kronholm Jan Cronquist Mardag Foundation Leonard, Street and Deinard John C. Levy Kristin & Clinton Cutler The Minneapolis Foundation Lindquist & Vennum MADA - CLT J. Michael Dady The Jay and Rose Phillips Alan Maclin Daniel & Kimberly McDonald Davidson Law Office Family Foundation Maslon Edelman Borman & Myers Thompson Peter J. Diessner Legal Services Advisory Cttee Brand David Mylrea Dodd Law Office Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Peter & Elaine McGillivray Kathryn Nelson & H.T. Fish Jeff & Dena Ehrich The Saint Paul Foundation Medtronic Nancy & Russell Nelson The Finzen-Clark Family James R. Thorpe Foundation Merchant & Gould Nelson, Tietz, & Hoye Foundation MoneyGram Karen Reierson Caren Fitzgerald Advocate ($5,000+) W. Edward & Mary Hester Katherine & Rolf Devries Smith Paul & Donna Floyd Dorsey & Whitney Mullin Fund of the Catholic Robert & Charleen Sprague Margaret Flynn & Richard Faegre & Benson Community Foundation John and Susan Steffen Brody, in memory of George Tom Fraser Richard & Claudette Nigon Floyd & Mary Lou Stewart Ludcke Fredrikson & Byron Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly Pam Stewart James L. Forman General Mills Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & William Umsheid & Joanne Kristina & William Foudray Peter & Carolyn Hendrixson Christensen Strakosch Don & Arvonne Fraser Lynn and Richard Voelbel The Elizabeth C. Quinlan Nancy Wiltgen Roger Frommelt Family Fund of The Foundation Jan Gibson & Richard Talbot Minneapolis Foundation Ramsey County Bar Foundation Patron ($100+) Hon. Allen Giles & Lisa Zelle Hofmann Voelbel John Randolph Frank & Barb Abramson Brosseau Mason & Gette Jim Reece Advance Consulting LLC Lorna & Tom Gleason, in Marianne T. Remedios & John Hon. Stephen Aldrich memory of George Ludcke Sustainer ($1,000+) R. Wald Jody Alholinna John Goetz 3M Schwegman, Lundberg & David Anderson Paula F. Goldberg Peter W. Anson Woessner Patrick & Catherine Minor Candee Goodman Norman & Kathy Baer Siegel, Brill, Greupner, Duffy & Atanalian Anne Greer, in memory of Best & Flanagan Foster Janalee Aurelia & Eric George Ludcke Hon. Kathleen Blatz & Hon. Richard & Nancy Solum Anderson Jon M. Gutzmann Wheelock Whitney Thomson West James Backstrom Mark Hallberg Richard & Gail Chang Bohr William Mitchell College of Douglas & Lisa Pritchard Carolyn Ham Briggs and Morgan Law Bayley Jana Uve & Neil Hamilton C.H. Robinson Worldwide Louise & Richard Wilson Joseph Beckman Ann Marie Hanrahan Michael Dai & Gail Engstrom Yale Alumni Association of the Tom Beddow Lowell Hansen Bernard & Kari Dusich Northwest Bulldogs on the Lake Elizabeth & Peter Belfiore George E. Harding Daniel Enebo & Laura Crosby Frank & Kathleen Berdan Roger Heegaard & Cheryl Flynn, Gaskins & Bennett Benefactor ($500+) Bertelson Law Offices Thomas C. William Franke Anne & Patrick Byrne Hon. Robert & Linda Birnbaum Carrie A. Hefte & James J. Kermit & Christine Fruechte Craig Bower & Deborah Kristin L. Boetticher Hanton Lisa & Bill Fulton Schmedemann Angela Bohmann & Jonathan Gerald T. Hendrickson Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Andrew Carlson & Lisa Riehle Thomas R. Hipkins Bennett Hollingsworth John & Dawn Bowden Christine Hove

6 Children’s Law Center of Minnesota Kathryn Howard Deborah Randolph William Davidson & Claire Jim & Andrea Rubenstein Margaret Hubbs Melissa Raphan & Thomas Olson Frank & Elizabeth Christopher & Sheryl Hunt Rock Robert Distad Russomanno Ronald & Renee Hunter Kent & Susan Richey Steve Eide James & Amy Leclaire Sachs Immigrant Law Center of Julie Rohovit & William Hefner John & Amelia Engberg Thomas & Sheva Sanders Minnesota Dr. Franklin & Kathleen Rachel Evenson Mark Sarenpa Geoffrey & Lezlie Jarpe Saksena Mike Fahey for Carver Ellie Scheler Marlene Johnson Hon. Heidi S. Schellhas County Attorney Hon. Gary & Lynn Schurrer Robert & Nichole Johnson Kurt & Nelda Schreiber Jean L. Findorff Katherine Seager & Andrew Hon. Alexander "Sandy" Keith Susan Segal William Flynn Fuller Todd Kenyon Nadine Sehnert Roma Foti Ellen Seesel Jan Kitchin Margaret & Dan Shulman Margo & David Fox Lori D. Semke Hon. Mary Louise Klas Jerry & Katherine Snider Anthony Fryer Loretta Smith Lindsey Lange Nancy Speer Liz Gagnen Leo G. Stern Frederick & Kay De Sam Susan D. Steinwall Robert & Cynthia Gilbertson Alec & Kay Valentine Lazaro John A. Taft Lawrence & Carol Goode Hon. John & Deanna Van De Seale & Robert Lea Sarah Taylor Kathleen Graham North Katie Crosby Lehmann Jon Theobald Mary Grau James & Ellen Van Iwaarden David Lillehaug Dale Thornsjo & Mary Kohl Michelle Grey Philip Walter & Karen Joan Linck Brad & Madge Thorsen Anne Gueinzius McDaniel Steve & Colleen Short Lucke Becky Thorson Jeff & Ronalee Haugen Arlene Wegener Gerald E. Magnuson Lica Tomizuka Dianne Heins Hon. Mark Wernick Mary Magnuson University of St. Thomas Law Joan Higinbotham Karl Wied, in memory of Richard & Finnette Magnuson School Cam Hoang George Ludcke Maureen Rose & George Michael & Roxann Van Dusen Holahan Family David & Mary Woodward Francis Mahowald Mary Vasaly Kathleen Holland Carrie Zochert Mall of America - Pond Fund Frank Vogl, in memory of Ann Jaede Seymour and Susan Mansfield George Ludcke Nancy Jones In-Kind Donations Family Fund of The Mary Walker David Kelley, in memory of Ivy Chang Minneapolis Foundation Walling, Berg & Debele George Ludcke April Erickson Mansfield, Tanick & Cohen James E. Wilkinson III Craig D. Klausing Michael J. Fox Hon. Elizabeth Martin Debra A. Wilson Dora Kripapuri Fredrikson & Byron Janet Martin Mark & Kathy Wisser Mark & Michelle Krug Lou & Carol Frillman Leroy & Karen Maunu Richard Kyle & Elizabeth Roderick & Helen Lawson Millennium Hotel Minneapolis Thomas & Mona Mengler Wittenberg Tina Liebling Minnesota Lawyer David & Lynn Meyer Rolfe Worden Greer & Mary Lockhart MLB Printing Thomas & Susan Mielenhausen Terry Louie Mod & Company Mary E. Miller Sponsor (up to $99) Chris Manahan Richard Nigon William Miller Michael Belfiore & Wendy Lynn Martin, in memory of Northwest Airlines Minnesota Women Lawyers Kagan, in honor of Peter & George Ludcke Melanie Olson Hon. Ann Montgomery & Betty Belfiore Molly McClellan Dhiraj Pant Theodore Smetak Richard & Gail Chang Bohr, in Mark Merrill & Suzanne Tracy Weil Julia Morgan memory of George Ludcke Dustrude Starr Michael Morrow & Katherine Larry Borgen, in memory of Chris & Joanne Messerly Company Matches Mackinnon George Ludcke Alison J. Midden 3M William E. Mullin Denis J. Boyd Kristen Nelson ATK Community Investment Hon. Rosanne Nathanson Philip & Ellen Bruner Peder Nestingen Foundation Richard & Kathryn Nelson Margaret H. Chutich Steven & Juliane Nilsson Ameriprise Financial Michael Nowotny Daniel Cohan & Erica Brown Dan & Lynne O'Connell Wells Fargo Steven & Sara Olson Toni Crockett, in memory of William M. Orth Sherrill Oman George Ludcke Mark & Carol Ponsolle Dr. Vivian Orey David & Mary Pat Oslund Worth the wait . . . John O'Toole Hon. Edward Parker CLC lawyer Elaine McGillivray represented Maria, 12, for the Rich & Suzanne Pepin Child in Need of Protection or Services petition and then for the James Perunovich Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) proceedings. As her Warren E. Peterson advocate, Elaine gave Maria continuous support during 12 out-of- Robin L. Phillips home placements following the TPR. While many of the adults James Pielemeier in Maria’s life left her, Elaine was the one consistent adult in her Alan Pitts life. Maria knew she could call Elaine during a crisis or just to Candace Prigge check in. Finally, thanks to the hard work of her team - social James & Nancy Proman Elaine McGillivray, CLC volun- worker, guardian ad litem, CLC lawyer and the Homecoming teer lawyer, and Maria Project worker - Maria was adopted just before her 18th birthday.

Children’s Law Center of Minnesota 7 Nominate a Hero for Children SAVE THE DATE Children’s Law Center of Minnesota (CLC) is accepting nominations for its Heroes for Children Children’s Law Center of Minnesota Award. This award recognizes an individual who 13th Anniversary Celebration & Benefit has made significant contributions to the well being of Minnesota’s children in either a career or Awards given: volunteer position. The nominee may work with Rosalie E. Wahl Justice for Children Award children in any area; for example, teaching, health Distinguished Service for Children Award care, legislation, advocacy, physical, spiritual, Heroes for Children Award social, or emotional well being. Past winners of the Heroes for Children Award Foster youth share their stories include: Mike Windey, St. Paul Parks and Silent/Live Auctions Recreation; Alice Neve, St. Paul Public Library; Dave Moore, Boy Scout Troop 100; Raeann Ruth, Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Portage for Youth; and Roy Magnuson, St. Paul Millennium Hotel Minneapolis Public Schools. Nominators must submit a one to three page nar- rative about the nominee’s qualifications, why the SAVE THE DATE nominee deserves the award, and contact information. Please send the award nomination to CLC by 4th Annual “The Lud” Golf Outing July 1, 2008. Please call 651.644.4438 if you have Columbia Golf Course any questions or would like additional information. Thursday, September 18, 2008, 1:00 p.m.

Open House In memory of George Ludcke, a volunteer lawyer at Please join CLC staff and Board of Directors Children’s Law Center of Minnesota. on Friday, May 16, 2008 from 4 - 6 p.m. CLC Donations to CLC in George’s name are welcome. office, 450 North Syndicate Ave., #315, St. Paul, 55104. Watch for Details Annual ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference comes to Minneapolis May 7 to 9, 2008 Plan to attend the National Legal Aid & Defender Association and the American Bar Association (ABA) Equal Jus- tice Conference May 7 to 9, 2008, at the Hilton Minneapolis. Civil legal aid staff, pro bono coordinators, bar association leaders, private attorneys and members of the judiciary and civil rights organizations will come together to dis- cuss equal justice issues as they relate to the delivery of legal services to low-income people. Children’s Law Center of Minnesota and the ABA Section of Litigation Children’s Rights Litigation Committee will conduct a workshop on “The Challenges of Children.” For more information, please visit www.nlada.org/training or call 202.452.0620.

Non-Profit Org 450 N. Syndicate Street, Suite 315 U.S. Postage St. Paul, Minnesota 55104-4106 P A I D Permit # 2334 St. Paul MN