A. Nicole Friant
A Volunteer Child Advocate

A. Nicole Friant is Pro Bono Counsel, Duane Morris LLP .

Q:  What do you do when you are not volunteering with the Support Center for Child Advocates?

A. I am pro bono counsel for Duane Morris LLP, and manage and direct the firm's national Pro Bono Program.

Q:  How did you learn about Child Advocates and why do you volunteer?

A. I first learned about Child Advocates shortly after law school, when a close friend began working there. I have been volunteering with Child Advocates for the last decade because I love working with kids, and want to help those in Philadelphia who are without the basics that every child deserves: security, safety and stability.  The children with whom I work bring me joy, and I feel privileged to advocate for them.

Q:  Tell us about a child’s life that has changed because of your advocacy.

A:  Several years ago, a group of siblings came into the child welfare system when their mother was neglectful due to drug addiction.  In addition to suffering from neglect, two of the girls were sexually abused by a family member.  At that time, I had the sad but necessary role of advocating to remove the children from their mother and place them with relatives. This arrangement provided stability for a few years, but unfortunately years later the siblings came back into the system when the relative’s home became unsafe.  During my second representation of these siblings, we were able to reunite them with their now-stable mother.  I am happy that they are still safe and secure with their mom, and though I haven’t represented them for more than a year, we stay in touch.  The girls are turning into confident, happy young ladies, and are doing well in school.  I am now helping the oldest daughter prepare for college.  I’m so proud of all three of them, and they have blessed my life in more ways than they will ever know.

Q: What would you tell people who are thinking about becoming a child advocate? 

A:  I couldn’t recommend it more! The Support Center for Child Advocates is a phenomenal organization in that it supports its volunteers as well as it fights for the children it serves.  Take the next training and see what an amazing experience advocating for the rights of children can be.   You will have an immediate, positive impact on the life of a child.   

Q: Tell us something that others wouldn’t know about you.

A: For a brief time, I was an environmental consultant for a non-profit organization that helps restaurants become environmentally sustainable.  Environmental sustainability, food science, and cooking – and how they all interact - remain passions of mine, second of course, to advocating for kids!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer attorney or need more information, please contact Jodi E. Schatz, Esquire, Pro Bono Coordinator & Intake Attorney, at jschatz@advokid.org or (267) 546-9228.