Influential law representing children approaches milestone anniversary

The Juvenile Law Center is the oldest nonprofit public interest law firm for children in the nation. In advance of its 40th anniversary next month, NewsWorks Tonight’s Dave Heller spoke with its founders, Marsha Levick, deputy director and chief counsel, and Bob Schwartz, executive director.

Levick and Schwartz founded the center with two fellow Temple Law grads upon graduation in 1975. While the Philadelphia-based firm had major wins locally, including litigation to improve conditions at Philadelphia’s Juvenile Detention Center, by the early ’90s, it had grown a national influence.

As the 40-year milestone draws near, the firm has no plans to slow down. Its energies will focus on issues such as trying children as adults, solitary confinement and subjecting juveniles to sex-offender registries, Levick said.