The Juvenile Section of the Contra Costa County Bar aims at maintaining and advancing the quality of representation in both the juvenile dependency and delinquency proceedings. The section was formed with the encouragement and assistance of Judge John C. Minney, then Juvenile Court Presiding Judge. 

Lawyers who represent children, parents and others involved in juvenile dependency and delinquency proceedings are moving from the shadows into the spotlight as the importance of their contributions are being recognized.  

Membership in our section provides beneficial continuing legal educations and opportunities for professional development.  Members include attorneys from the public and private bar and represent the full spectrum of parties, including parents, guardians, foster parents, relatives and minor children.

Brown bag lunch programs are held monthly in Department 10. Our speakers include experienced attorneys, therapists and other professionals on such topics as case law and statutory reviews, techniques on interviewing children, ICWA issues, immigration laws and their effect on dependent children and recognizing substance abuse in clients. These programs can be used to qualify towards meeting the California and local court statutes and rules for mandatory competence of counsel.

During the holiday season, we sponsor an annual toy drive for children and teens in need in our county.  The toys are collected at the Contra Costa County Bar Association's annual holiday party.

We have good bench-bar CFS-bar and attorney-CCP relations through representation at the "Judges' Meeting" with CFS and bar representatives, participation in the Social Worker-Attorney Training Committee (SWATT), participation in the planning and evaluation of the annual Cross training for attorneys and social workers and liaison with the Criminal Conflicts Panel.

The Juvenile Section encourages and welcomes all attorneys interested in this unique and challenging area. Yearly dues are $25 and members are admitted free to the monthly brown bag programs. Non-members are charged $5 for attendance at our monthly programs. Affiliate membership not allowed.  Members receive advance notification of our monthly programs.

If you are interested or would like further information, please contact the president.

Helpful Juvenile Dependency Web Sites

Chair: Rhonda Wilson-Rice Law Office of Rhonda Wilson-Rice 525 Marina Blvd., Pittsburg, CA  94565 T: (925) 432-7373 F: (925) 427-3018 E: attyrwr@yahoo.com	Law Watch Updates for Juvenile Section
	Law Watch updates notify section members of new California legal developments in the subject matter indicated by the Law Watch heading. CCCBA members have unlimited access to a rolling three (3) years of case law, including California Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Program Co-Chairs Jeanne Marie Olin (925) 376-6690 Amy Stoll (925) 370-6800

Helpful Juvenile Dependency Web Sites

AOC Center for Families, Children and the Courts

Appellate Defenders Inc. (4th Ap. District)

California Public Defenders Association.

Central California Appellate Program

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Judicial Council of California

Judicial Council Forms (Downloadable, Fillable & Non-Fillable)

Legislative Council of California (All 29 CA Codes)

National Association of Counsel for Children

National Center for Youth Law

The National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues

The American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law