Family Law
Family law is a body of law that applies to family and domestic relationships, including: marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships, adoption and surrogacy, and child custody and support.
Family law lawyers handle a variety of issues including divorce, custody, child support, prenuptial agreements, guardianship, adoptions, and estate planning. In addition to traditional legal skills, family law often requires attorneys to be very comfortable with negotiation and counseling.
The majority of private sector family law attorneys practice in small law firms, though some large law firms will have practices dealing with matrimonial law or wealth management for high net worth individuals. In the public sector, family law often involves some sort of state involvement – for example, child welfare or juvenile delinquency. Family law attorneys in the public sector also often work in legal services or public defender offices.
What to do if you are interested in Family Law?
Georgetown Law Courses
Family Law I: Marriage and Divorce
Family Law II: Child, Parent and State
Gender and Sexuality: Law and Theory
Sexual Orientation and the Law
Georgetown Law Clinics
Domestic Violence Clinic
Juvenile Justice Clinic
Helpful Family Law Resources
- American Bar Association, Section of Family Law
- Harvard Law School – Office of Public Interest Advising – Children’s Rights Guide
- American Bar Association, Center on Children and the Law
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- National Academy of Family Law Attorneys