Last Friday I attended the 14th Annual Robert E. Shepherd Jr. Juvenile Law and Education Conference at the University of Richmond School of Law. The conference brought together lawyers and advocates from around the State to share knowledge and strategies for advocacy on behalf of children and families in the Juvenile Justice system. This was a great conference.
I am always refreshed by the energy and creativity of advocates for children and families in need. Our clients come to us mired in the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the maze of rules and regulations that govern services for children with disabilities. This conference brought together new young lawyers and seasoned advocates to talk about “what to do and how to do it”. The opportunities to learn and re-energize are always important. We need to talk to each other and share the load because the work is too hard to be done in isolation.
The Conference takes its name from University of Richmond law professor emeritus, Robert E. Shepherd Jr. who died last December after battling cancer. I knew Bob and I had the honor and privilege of working with him on a number of juvenile advocacy projects over the years. Many of us regard Bob as the having been the primary guiding influence for the Juvenile Court law in Virginia. He was tireless and his passion for child advocacy was reflected in many of his former students and friends who attended the conference last week. Bob would have approved.
