Francesca E. Black Email & Phone Number

Greater Atlanta Area

Greater Atlanta Area

• Zealously advocate to protect the legal rights and best interests of at-risk children in juvenile court• Actively manage and litigate average caseload of 70 cases through all stages including appeal• Serve as lead counsel and appear for court hearings three times a week on average• Regularly conduct investigations and field work including off sight visits and report analysis• Lead team of paralegals, investigators and social workers to develop case strategy and resolutions• Collaborate with multidisciplinary partners and stakeholders to address the needs of our clients• Prepare court pleadings, investigative reports, and guardian ad litem reports with recommendations • Conduct extensive ongoing legal, resource related research analyze findings of research• Interview, investigate and examine child-clients and witnesses

• Defended clients in civil litigation proceedings including contested estates, contracts, and fraud throughout Georgia• Handled all aspects of litigation including discovery, oral argument, and hearings for over 30 active cases• Prepared petitions, complaints, motions, orders, and responsive pleadings filed in various Superior and Probate Courts • Negotiated and drafted settlement agreements, purchase agreements, estate distribution agreements, and deeds• Conducted investigations and interviewed witnesses for trial preparation• Created case action plans and counseled clients on case strategy, risk mitigation, and liability prevention

• Managed and litigated high profile family law cases through all phases of litigation including appeal• Successfully argued written and oral applications before Family Court, Supreme and Appellate Courts• Negotiated settlements in guardianship, custody, visitation, juvenile delinquency, and child neglect proceedings• Defended and protected the rights of children accused of committing crimes, and/or engaging in PINS behavior• Researched and prepared motions, discovery demands, appellate briefs, petitions, and custody/visitation agreements• Partnered with social workers, district attorneys, parent attorneys and C.A.S.A. to develop child permanency plans

J.D.

Activities and Societies: Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic, Legal Association of Women's Students, Emory Graduate Youth Mentors

B.A., Political Science

Activities and Societies: America Reads, Orchesis Dance Troupe, Political Science Students Association