Among his many other notable charitable endeavors, Austin, TX, real estate executive Gary Bradley has contributed to the cause of child welfare in his state. In conjunction with his Austin-area projects, he established the first developer-funded early childhood facility in a suburban community. In addition, Gary Bradley collaborated with his local district attorney’s office to pioneer in the creation of a child protection center. Such centers and other advocacy organizations are now commonly found working closely with district attorney’s offices across the nation.
The legal profession’s commitment to child protection is well exemplified in the work of child advocate attorneys. Family courts frequently appoint these professionals to represent the interests of minor children in a number of proceedings, including those involving neglect or abuse. Child advocate attorneys also step in to support children’s interests in cases of divorce, termination of parental rights, and situations in which a child or teen is accused of criminal acts and brought before a juvenile court.
The National Association of Counsel for Children provides official certification for these attorneys. To obtain such credentials, an attorney must have amassed a substantial amount of hours working on behalf of children, in addition to mastering at least 36 hours of continuing education in that category.
