50TH ANNIVERSARY: FOUNDERS LEGACY FUND

Your gift will honor our co-founders Marsha Levick and Robert Schwartz by sustaining the fight for children's rights into the future.
Marsha and Bob not only changed the field of children’s rights through a lifetime of work on behalf of youth but also committed themselves to building the field through leadership and mentorship – establishing Juvenile Law Center as one of the most influential advocacy organizations for children in the country and inspiring thousands of children’s rights advocates working nationwide today.
Founded in 1975 upon their graduation from Temple Law School, Juvenile Law Center was the first nonprofit public interest law firm for children in the country. Initially, we offered direct legal representation to children in the child welfare, justice, education, or mental health systems. We pioneered multi-disciplinary representation to support all areas of our clients’ lives – family, community, education, mental health, and the law.
Over time, we realized our victories would be limited unless we tackled systemic failures. Our work evolved, and our reach grew from Philadelphia to across Pennsylvania to advocating for youth nationwide.
In our 50th year, Juvenile Law Center will undergo a leadership transition to make room for the next generation of leaders at this extraordinary organization. We commemorate our mentor and friend, Bob Schwartz, who was excited to honor Marsha Levick as she prepares to step down as Chief Legal Officer next year after decades of leadership at the organization they founded together.
For 50 years, we have worked toward a world in which all kids can thrive. Help us continue the fight!

“One of my favorite stories involves the British architect, Christopher Wren, who designed and supervised the construction of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. During the construction, which occurred in the late seventeenth century, Wren approached a worker and asked what the worker did., “I’m a stone mason, Mr. Wren,” the worker answered. The architect moved on, and upon encountering a second man, who was also a stone mason, he asked the same question. This time the worker answered, “I, sir, am building a cathedral.”
“One of the problems for counsel for children is that when we are asked what we do, we answer, “I’m a lawyer for children.” The question remains, however. What are we trying to achieve for children? What are we building?”
“…each child’s case offered an opportunity for reform…there were lawyers who…would put services in place and create opportunities for their clients…there were lawyers who believed that we could build, brick-by-brick, a common law of child well-being…that was our view when we opened Juvenile Law Center in 1975.”
- Bob Schwartz, Keynote Address, National Association of Counsel for Children 19th Annual Children’s Law Conference Chicago – October 12, 1996