Our History
The Kids First Law Center opened in 2005. Kids First is the only agency in Iowa that provides free representation to children in divorce cases. Jenny Schulz is the founder and executive director of Kids First. Kids First employs three attorneys who each represent 40-50 kids at a time in high-conflict family law cases.

Why do kids need a lawyer?
Children of high-conflict divorce are among the most at risk. They are at risk to suffer from behavioral and emotional problems, fail in school, abuse drugs and alcohol, and have failed relationships as adults. These problems are caused by the fighting kids witness between their parents. Kids often feel isolated and have no control over their family situation.

Kids First gives kids a trusted adult they can confide in. Kids First helps give children a voice.

What does Kids First do?
Kids First is dedicated solely to representing children in divorce and custody cases. In individual cases, the Kids First attorney:

• meets with child clients regularly, listens to concerns, and answers questions;
• conducts an independent investigation;
• collaborates with professionals who know the child, such as teachers and therapists;
• encourages parents to understand their child’s perspective;
• negotiates issues between parents;
• recommends services to the family; and
• attends all court hearings and advocates the child’s position.

Kids First remains involved with each child until the divorce is final, often a year or more.

Does anyone else do this work?
No other agency in Iowa represents children in these cases for free. Without Kids First, children would not have a voice in their parents’ dispute.

When should a child have a lawyer?
Children would benefit from a lawyer when there is:

• A high level of conflict between parents;
• Family violence;
• Neglect or verbal abuse;
• Substance abuse;
• Serious mental health needs;
• A request for supervised visitation;
• A child who wants to express views;
• Parental manipulation; or
• Interference with visitation/custody.

How and when does Kids First get involved?
The court appoints the Kids First attorney when the court finds that the child should have a lawyer. For a child to be eligible for services from Kids First: (1) the child must be 6 to 17 years old; (2) the child must live in Linn, Johnson, Iowa, Benton, Jones, or Cedar County; and (3) a high-conflict family law (divorce or custody) case must be pending.

Who pays for these services?
Even though Kids First is court-appointed in each case, the state does not provide funding with the appointment. Children receive free representation from Kids First if their families cannot afford to pay for services.  For higher income families, Kids First provides representation on a sliding fee basis. Kids First is funded mostly by individual donations and grants.

How does Kids First help?
Children feel less anxious when their attorney answers their questions openly and honestly. Kids First helps parents learn to communicate and co-parent better. Children’s behavior and self-esteem improve when parents start working together. Cases are 75% more likely to settle with a child’s attorney; this avoids the cost and drain of a trial. Families return to court less when they make their own parenting plan. In cases that do not settle, judges make better decisions when they know what kids want.

What is the budget?
Our annual operating budget is $190,000 for four employees. We work to keep operating costs low so that donor dollars go mostly to direct client services. To find out how to donate to Kids First, click here.

Do you use volunteers?
Approximately 30 private attorneys in Linn County have agreed to represent children for free through Kids First. We also train volunteers to help facilitate our workshops for children of divorcing parents. To inquire about volunteer opportunities, click here.

Who are the Board of Directors?
Ryan Buresh, Treasurer, CPA, Owner of Prairie Soup Company
Judy Goldberg, President, Children’s Attorney, Cedar Rapids School Board
Cathy Gullickson, Organizational Consultant
Tiffany O’Donnell, Secretary, Anchor, KGAN/KFXA
Thomas Wolle, Vice President, Attorney, Moyer & Bergman PLC