Ashley W., et al. v. Eric Holcomb, et al.: NACC and partners filed an amicus brief arguing that the abstention doctrine does not apply in the plaintiffs’ suit against Indiana’s Department of Child Services, its director, and the Governor of Indiana for several violations of their constitutional rights. 

In re J.F. and J.A.F.: NACC joined an amicus brief arguing that a child is entitled to independent counsel in abuse, neglect, and TPR cases in which the child’s wishes differ from the recommendations of the GAL.

In re Adoption of M.M.F. & In re Adoption of Y.E.F.: NACC joined an amicus brief supporting indigent parents’ right to counsel in Ohio private adoption cases.

Jonathan R., et al. v. Jim Justice, et al.: NACC and several nonprofit organizations filed an amicus brief arguing that the district court erred by abstaining from hearing the plaintiffs’ federal claims since they did not implicate the abstention doctrine. 

Nicole K., by Next Friend Linda R., et al. v. Terry J.  Stigdon, Director, Indiana Department of Child Services, et al.: NACC joined an amicus brief requesting that the United States Supreme Court review the Seventh Circuit’s decision to abstain from hearing a federal case challenging the denial of legal counsel in Indiana dependency proceedings.

In re J.F. and J.A.F.: NACC joined legal services organizations in filing an amicus brief urging the Ohio Supreme Court to clarify a child’s right to independent counsel in abuse, neglect, or TPR cases and the standard for appointment of counsel.

In re L.I. and H.D.K.: NACC and other legal services organizations filed an amicus brief arguing that parents’ counsel should be appointed upon the filing of a petition for custody or family supervision.

In re S.B.: NACC filed an amicus brief contending that S.B., a non-verbal older youth, was denied his due process and statutory rights when his counsel was prohibited from using the substituted judgment model to advocate for the Nevada court’s continued jurisdiction over S.B. after his eighteenth birthday. 

A.R. v. D.R.: NACC filed an amicus brief supporting the application of the fundamental fairness standard for assessing prejudice in claims of ineffective assistance of counsel in Colorado dependency proceedings.

MD v. Abbott: NACC filed an amicus brief arguing that Texas violates children’s Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process right to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm while in foster care.