Christopher W. Nicholson to Present at Maryland Judiciary’s Child Counsel Training
Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders, P.A. is pleased to announce that partner Christopher W. Nicholson will serve as faculty for the Maryland Judiciary’s Child Counsel Training on December 21, 2026, at the Maryland Judicial Center in Annapolis.
Mr. Nicholson will present with Frank Gray of Jimeno & Gray on the Maryland Guidelines for Practice for Court-Appointed Lawyers Representing Children in Cases Involving Child Custody or Child Access. Maryland courts apply these Guidelines to attorneys appointed to represent children in custody and access disputes. They define each type of child counsel role and set out the lawyer’s duties in each one.
The Three Types of Child Counsel in Maryland
In a contested custody case, a Maryland court may appoint an attorney for a child in one of three roles:
A best interest attorney makes an independent assessment of what is in the child’s best interest and advocates for that position, even if it differs from what the child wants.
A child advocate attorney represents the child in the traditional attorney-client sense and advocates for the child’s own objectives. This role applies when the child is considered able to make considered judgments about the case.
A child privilege attorney decides whether to assert or waive the child’s privilege over confidential mental health records and communications.
About the Training
The program is free and is hosted by Juvenile & Family Services within the Administrative Office of the Courts. It is designed for Maryland attorneys interested in serving as child counsel, and it meets the basic training requirements of the Guidelines. Space is limited. Priority will be given to attorneys who commit to accepting one pro bono child counsel appointment and who have not attended a prior child counsel training.
Attorneys can apply online. Questions about the program should go to Christine Feddersen at the Administrative Office of the Courts at 410-260-1740 or christine.feddersen@mdcourts.gov.
Child Counsel Work at TNS Family Law
Teaching child counsel training is one part of the firm’s broader work representing children. TNS attorneys are regularly appointed by Maryland courts as best interest attorneys, child advocate attorneys, and child privilege attorneys in cases involving safety concerns, high-conflict litigation, and third-party custody disputes.
About Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders
Based in Towson, Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders practices exclusively in family law, representing clients in divorce, custody, child support, marital property, and post-judgment matters across Maryland. Contact us to learn more about how our attorneys can help.