Talk Don’t Touch? Considerations for Children’s Attorneys on the Physical Touch of Clients

Authors

Andrea L. Dennis

Abstract

Forming a positive attorney-client relationship with a child is a complex process that involves many considerations. Although it offers guidance on effectively communicating and creating a safe environment, the legal system has neglected to form appropriate standards governing physical touch of juvenile clients. There are numerous benefits to physical touch of clients. However, a lack of guidance on the appropriate ways to use physical touch creates the risk negative effects will result from the touch. Drawing from the standards of other child-focused professions, this Article provides guidelines for attorneys contemplating using physical touch to develop a positive rapport with child clients. This Article also suggests that all children’s attorneys receive training on the matter.

Recommended Citation

Andrea L. Dennis, Talk Don’t Touch? Considerations for Children’s Attorneys on the Physical Touch of Clients, 65 Cath. U. L. Rev. 253 (2016).
Available at: https://scholarship.law.edu/lawreview/vol65/iss2/7