Kids First Law Center

Kids First Law Center gives children a voice in divorce, custody, and other conflicts by providing focused legal representation and services for kids in high- conflict divorces. Kids First attorneys are court-appointed to represent children ages 6-16 for high-conflict divorce and custody cases in Linn and Johnson Counties. In the last year, Kids First attorneys represented 188 children. Expansion of this program through the addition of one part-time attorney is estimated to allow Kids First to accept all cases referred to Kids First rather than having to decline court appointments. Child representation is a vital service that supports the most vulnerable members of our community – children whose families struggle with substance abuse, mental illness, and violence. The number of court orders appointing Kids First has increased by 29% since 2020 and 14% in just the last year. Kids First attorneys have had full or more-than-full caseloads for well over a year. To help slow the flow of new appointments, Kids First required families requesting child representation to first access Kids First’s mediation program.