2019 Matthew J. Ryan Law and Public Policy Forum, 9/20

In the Best Interest of the Child?

September 20, 2019

8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Laurence E. Hirsch '71 Classroom (Room 101)

What is in the best interest of the child? This is the question that is often at the center of custody and welfare cases involving minors. How do attorneys go about answering this question and what in the United States’ current system helps or hinders their efforts? The 2019 Matthew J. Ryan Law and Public Policy Forum will bring together attorneys, experts and government officials to tackle issues in policy and to offer possible solutions.

The event takes place on Friday, September 20 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Laurence E. Hirsch ’71 Classroom (Room 101) at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education board for 2 ethics and 1 substantive CLE credits.

Agenda

8:30-9:00 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

9:00-9:10 a.m.

Opening Remarks

Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Frank Cervone '82, Executive Director, Support Center for Child Advocates

9:10-10:10 a.m. – Panel 1

Navigating the System: The Lawyer’s Role

Hon. Wendy Demchick-Alloy '81, Judge, Montgomery County 38th Judicial District

Betsy Fordyce '07, Interim Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center

Scott Hollander, Executive Director, KidsVoice

Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr. '81, Member, Cozen O’Connor

Moderated by Shelley R. Smith '89, Partner, Archer Law

10:20-11:30 a.m. – Panel 2

Navigating the System: What Gets in the Way?

Sharrelle Barber, ScD, MPH, Assistant Research Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health

Marguerite Gualtieri '91, Managing Attorney, Support Center for Child Advocates

Patrick McCarthy PhD, Visiting Fellow, Stoneleigh Foundation, Former President and CEO, Annie E. Casey Foundation

Moderated by Dveera Segal, Professor of Law and Former Director, Civil Justice Clinic, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

11:40 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Panel 3

Creating a System that Works in the Best Interest of the Child: Dream a Little Dream…

Frank Cervone '82, Executive Director, Support Center for Child Advocates

Sharrelle Barber, ScD, MPH, Assistant Research Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health

Betsy Fordyce '07, Interim Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center

Patrick McCarthy PhD, Visiting Fellow, Stoneleigh Foundation and Former President & CEO, Annie E. Casey Foundation

Moderated by Doris DelTosto Brogan '81, Professor of Law and Harold Reuschlein Leadership Chair, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law