About the Diane Abbey Law Center for Children and Families

The Diane Abbey Law Center was founded in 2009 to ensure that children, and the families who care for them, receive the legal assistance necessary to ensure their safety, security and well-being.

The Law Center's dual goals are to promote policies that empower families and to facilitate our students' entrance into family law practice and policy. The Center approach is holistic, recognizing that assisting families requires a basic understanding not merely of law, but also social work, psychology, and other fields.

Diane Abbey Law Center Approach: 

  • Participate in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary curriculum aimed at creating excellent practitioners able to represent children and families in all aspects of family law.
  • Engage in volunteer externships and work with alumni mentors

  • Complete capstone projects that make concrete contributions to the lives of families in need

The Center not only prepares graduates for successful careers but also helps give New York's children and families the support they need.


To learn more, please click on the approriate link:

Receive Updates Sign up to receive updates on news, contests, and upcoming events.

Become an Abbey AssociateFor advance information about the 2012 application process, please e-mail our Associate Director, Genevieve Wachtell.  We will hold information sessions during late Winter / early Spring 2012.  Applications will be due during the Spring semester.

Abbey Center Newsroom

For information about what's new with the Law Center and our upcoming events, click to Abbey Center Newsroom for our bi-monthly update.