Legal Services
We provide legal representation to abused and neglected children - ages 0-21 - in Baltimore City, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Carroll, Cecil and Frederick Counties. Our representation includes attending Family Involvement meetings, mental health treatment team meetings, special education meetings; juvenile delinquency and misdemeanor adult criminal justice system representation and/ or advocacy; and legal representation and/or advocacy for child victims in criminal cases.
Human Right to Healthy Development Project – Concerned with the over-use of psychotropic drugs on foster care children, we have been collecting data since 2007 on the type and numbers of psychotropic drugs prescribed to our clients, the effect, and the mental health diagnoses assigned to each psychotropic drug. Our advocacy includes challenging the prolonged use of psychotropic drugs and the effects it has on our clients.
Black Female Legal Representation Project (2011 - 2015) – This special legal representation project was created in 2011 for our young, Black female clients out of deep concern for the often ignored needs of young, Black women – precipitated by the lack of understanding of the challenges these young women face. We focused on Baltimore City youth who crossed the foster care, juvenile delinquency, adult criminal justice, and mental health systems, and who may have had educational challenges. This project provided legal representation, frequent attorney contact, and mentorship.
Policy Advocacy
We advocate for the human rights of marginalized children
and adults on the state, national, and global levels. Our
recent work includes, contributions to the passage of laws in
Maryland related to education stability and child
consultations by judicial officers for foster care children;
advocacy in Washington, DC for policy and legislative
changes for incarcerated parents and their children; and
advocacy for the human rights of children to healthy
development and self-determination, internationally.
What our clients have to say about our work:
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"The Franklin Law Group, P.C. are both local and international advocates. They have demonstrated a strong voice and leadership for our most vulnerable, our children. The Franklin Law Group's dedication is truly making a difference in the lives of others.""
Julia Perez, MSEE Associate Director, The Harvest
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"I'm not crying because I'm sad, I'm crying because I am happy you are speaking up for me."
E.R., age 14
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"We need more law practices like The Franklin Law Group! Their compassionate advocacy for children in foster care has helped reframe the issue of the over-use of psychotropic drugs on Black children in foster care as a human rights concern on the international level. We are honored to know and work with them."
US Human Rights Network
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"The Franklin Law Group has been extremely successful in advancing and elevating the voices of children at the state, national and international level. The Franklin Law Group has seasoned staff who approach their work with in-depth knowledge, great strategic thinking and a collegial grace, which ensures a long lasting life for this firm."
Patricia Allard, JD, MA
Children's Rights Advocate, Justice Strategies
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"My lawyer is so easy to talk to and always stands up and fights
and for me. I really don't like court because it is too
emotional and demands a lot of me, but I felt protected when
my lawyer was there with me."
J.B., age 12
