About Our Section

The purpose of the Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section is to discuss and consider issues impacting children and parents who become involved in the legal process as it pertains to child protection and juvenile justice and to promote the continuing education of CBA members and the general community with respect to such issues. To that end, the Committee shall monitor proposed legislation, regulations, policy, and court rules affecting children and their families in the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters, develop positions with respect to said proposals, and foster relationships between attorneys and private, public, and governmental organizations dealing with families involved in the child protection and juvenile justice systems. The Committee will also be attentive to other issues affecting children and families that arise in areas including but not limited to family, probate, criminal, and education law.


Section Executive Committee

Chair
Rachael Levine
Levine Litigation
304 Federal Rd, Ste 206
Brookfield, CT 06804
(203)885-0253
rlevine@wolfandshorelaw.com

Vice Chair
Cynthea Motschmann

Law Office of Cynthea M. Motschmann
PO Box 611
Unionville, CT 06085
(860)506-6113
attycyntheam@gmail.com

Secretary 
Vivianna Mazzarella
Office of Public Defenders
1 Court Street
Middletown, CT 06457
(203)654-6740
vivianna.mazzarella@pds.ct.gov

Treasurer 
Chris N. Oakley
State of CT Public Defender Services
1 Court Street #524
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 819-4231
christopher.oakley@pds.ct.gov

Interested in Joining the Section?

You can join the Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section at any time throughout the bar year.

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Upcoming Events

Latest Related News

  • Website Thumbnail September 2026 CBA meeting Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section Recognizes Attorney Lisa B. Kouzoujian at Section Meeting

    Tuesday, October 20, 2026

    On September 24, 2026, the Child Welfare and Juvenile Law (CWJL) Section was happy to have Attorney Chris Cobb speak to the section about DCF administrative hearings. In addition, the Section recognized Attorney Lisa B. Kouzoujian for her many years of outstanding representation of parents and children in juvenile court.
  • CBA Manko Anita Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section Honors Attorney Peter Manko at Section Meeting

    Tuesday, May 26, 2026

    On January 23, 2026, the Child Welfare and Juvenile Law (CWJL) Section was happy that Josiah Brown from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) spoke to the section about their work in the Juvenile Court. In addition, the CWJL section was happy to recognize Attorney Peter Manko.
  • Website Thumbnail CLE - DCF RRG - October 2025 Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section Honors Attorney Trudy Condio at Section Meeting

    Tuesday, October 28, 2025

    On October 23, 2025, the Child Welfare and Juvenile Law (CWJL) Section was happy that Kristen Oliver and Melissa Milardo from the DCF RRG (Regional Resource Group) presented the process on how a case consultation with a RRG specialist reviews the presenting case-related issues as well as any relevant historical information and needs which leads to recommendations and case next steps to resolve or address those issues and needs. In addition, the CWJL section was happy to recognize Attorney Trudy Condio.
  • Karen CWJL Section Thumbnail Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section Honors Karen Damboise at Section Meeting

    Tuesday, October 28, 2025

    On September 11, 2025, the Child Welfare and Juvenile Law (CWJL) Section hosted Chief Administrative Judge Tammy Nguyen-O’Dowd for Juvenile Matters, who addressed her observations from the bench and provided practitioners with an update on recent changes in juvenile court procedures. In addition, the CWJL section recognized Attorney Karen Damboise for her 22 years of service in the Juvenile Court.
  • Frank M. Jenks Section Award Thumbnail Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section Honors Frank M. Jenks at Section Meeting

    Thursday, June 26, 2025

    On May 15, 2025, the Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Section was happy to recognize Attorney Frank M. Jenks for his 22 years of service in the Juvenile Court.

Section Annual Reports