Archive: Opinions

As the Sixties' tune says, "To everything, turn, turn, turn…."

Seasons are certainly "a changing" at the Attorneys for Children Law Office. Managing Attorney Diane Withiam has announced her retirement effective at the end of November.

Diane joined the office in 2004 and has served as the Managing Attorney for 12 years. Under her leadership the office has grown from one staff attorney to three attorneys, a social worker, a legal assistant, and an office administrative assistant.

The office provides quality legal counsel to children for a range of Family Court cases including abuse, neglect, family offense proceedings, custody, adoptions, PINS, and JD petitions. Our office is actively involved in Family Treatment Court, providing preventive alternatives to families experiencing challenges.

Most of the work done by the office happens far from the public eye. As one might imagine, it is critically important to protect the confidentiality of clients who come before the court. This means that there is no real opportunity for the community to acknowledge or appreciate the dedication and hard work put forth each and every day by Diane and her team. This is one such opportunity.

Diane's energy and passion for children will be sorely missed. Through her leadership and consistent focus, she has championed the needs of children. This has been more than a job for Diane. It's been a labor of love. Her influence lives on with those she has represented and Diane's tenure, the longest of any managing attorney, has helped create coherent agency policies and stronger representation for youth in our community.

The Board of Directors wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to Diane for her many significant contributions, hard work and dedication on behalf of children, and the high moral integrity she has always shown. CCC has been very fortunate to have Diane's energy for so long and we wish her all the best.

Diane has promised to not completely disappear from the legal circuit, but we also know that she will be excited to pursue other passions, be that gardening, singing, and spending more time with her grandchildren. Hopefully she'll be spending some fun time at the Children's Garden which was the recipient of generous donations made in Diane's honor by friends and colleagues at her retirement party on November 17th.

And while we will miss Diane's contributions, we do have exciting news: the Board is proud to announce that Kathleen Sullivan has joined the office as the new Managing Attorney. Kathleen has extensive Family Court experience and has served as the Managing Attorney with the Cortland Department of Social Services Legal Unit.

We are confident our community will provide a warm welcome to Kathleen. We are very much looking forward to Kathleen taking the reins, as she brings a spirited dedication to the well being of young people and a strong commitment to their legal representation.

On behalf of the Board, Paul Fairbanks
Board Members: Carol Grumbach, Jaydn McCune, JoAnne Miner Ithaca, NY

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