Saturday, January 23, 2010
8:30–11:45 a.m.
Children’s Law Committee
3.0 MCLE Credit Hours

Child Welfare in South Carolina: Problems, Progress and Promises to Keep

From embryo adoptions to the school-to-prison pipeline to rights of birth fathers—this seminar covers legal issues from conception to adulthood!  This seminar is designed to educate and enlighten everyone from recent law school graduates to the most seasoned family court practitioner, spanning the fundamentals of child welfare practice to the cutting edge of adoption law to evolving trends in juvenile justice. If you are subject to court appointments to serve as a Guardian ad Litem or represent parents in Department of Social Services actions, Judge Jay Vinson’s presentation on “Best Legal Practices” will give you invaluable tips to make your advocacy more effective. This seminar also features presentations from fellows of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, general counsels of South Carolina state agencies, and even the ACLU. Attendees will hear a variety of perspectives and interpretations of the law and engage in a lively dialogue on these issues that affect the building blocks of our future—children. 

8:30–9:00 a.m. Best Legal Practices in DSS Abuse and Neglect Cases
Hon. Jerry D. Vinson Jr., Florence

9:00–9:30 a.m. Who’s Your Daddy? The Responsible Father Registry and Other Legislative Developments
Michelle Dhunjishah, Columbia
James Fletcher Thompson, Spartanburg

9:30–10:00 a.m. Embryo Adoption – The Future is Now
Dale Dove, Rock Hill
Cherie T. Barton, Rock Hill

10:00–10:15 a.m. Break

10:15–10:45 a.m. Perspectives on Juvenile Competency to Stand Trial
Sarah D. Smith, Columbia
Tana G. Vanderbilt, Columbia

10:45–11:15 a.m. From the Schoolhouse to the Jailhouse
Victoria Middleton, Charleston
Susan King Dunn, Charleston

11:15–11:45 a.m. Children’s Law Center: Disturbing Schools Initiative
Harry W. Davis, Columbia

Course Planner/Moderator: Michelle Dhunjishah, Columbia