University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

A conference to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of SUNY Buffalo Law School’s Women, Children and Social Justice Clinic, followed by a symposium to honor the 50th Anniversary of New York State Family Court. The conference will bring together scholars, advocates, and members of the judiciary and bar to discuss the remarkable ripple effect of education, research, and advocacy on intimate partner violence and social justice in the local, national, and international arenas. In 1992, the Domestic Violence Clinic was inaugurated at SUNY Buffalo Law School under the direction of clinic faculty Suzanne Tomkins and Catherine Cerulli to provide educational and practical experience to students to address the needs of domestic violence victims in our community. Twenty years later, the Clinic has evolved into the current Women, Children and Social Justice Clinic, encompassing the larger advocacy work needed to address the problem of intimate partner violence locally, nationally and internationally. Two morning panels will examine the evolution of intimate partner violence advocacy and the globalization of that advocacy. The lunchtime keynote address will offer an historical view and update on the research on intimate partner violence and how it informs our legal and social responses at the victim and community levels. The day will continue with a symposium discussing the history and future directions of New York State Family Court.