CLC Executive director Aldrich Appointed to Permanent Commission on Justice for Families
Aldrich Appointed to New Statewide Commission
In early February, Liberty Aldrich, Executive Director of The Children’s Law Center, was appointed to the statewide Permanent Commission on Justice for Families by Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, Honorable Rowan D. Wilson.
On February 5, 2025, Chief Judge Wilson and Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas announced the “formation of a landmark panel” to collaborate on the study of “justice issues impacting family, youth, and children in New York state.”
The Commission will take a comprehensive look at New York’s family justice system, aiming to identify systemic challenges and develop equitable, compassionate reforms for the children and families it serves.
It was established to “conduct a careful study of the family justice system’s many moving parts, seeking new and creative ways to better address existing systemic challenges,” according to the NYS Unified Court System.
What is the Permanent Commission on Justice for Families?
Aldrich joins a diverse panel of legal and community leaders from across the state—including former mentors and longtime collaborators—tasked with evaluating family court operations, advocating for underrepresented communities, and ensuring meaningful access to justice. This panel will reimagine how the Family Court system can better serve New York families—particularly those navigating trauma, poverty, and legal instability.
The Commission is a key part of the Unified Court System’s renewed focus on improving outcomes for those involved in the family justice system. The new Commission, under the leadership of Hon. Richard Rivera, Hon. Anne-Marie Jolly, and Dawne Mitchell, Esq., will make recommendations that strengthen New York, including improving how courts handle custody, visitation, domestic violence, and child protective matters — cases CLC addresses every day.
“The time is now to effectively, efficiently — and compassionately — address the justice needs of New York’s children and families in distress,” said Chief Judge Wilson.
Amplifying Children’s Voices
CLC’s child-first, interdisciplinary approach to representing children offers an essential perspective to the group’s work. Judge Aldrich will bring the same commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration that she cultivates at The Children’s Law Center to her work championing systemic reform as part of this Commission.
“The Commission has its work cut out for it,” Aldrich wrote. “Nothing is easy in this work, but it is an amazing group that has been brought together by the Chief Judge… I am particularly pleased that the group includes folks with lived experience in foster care and hope that, over time, we can also include children impacted by domestic violence and contested custody proceedings, including The Children’s Law Center’s Children’s Voice Project.”
Read the full announcement from the NYS Unified Court System and learn more about CLC’s unique practice model.