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Social Work and the Courts Specialty Practice Section

We are social workers who perform community safety or offender assessments; provide forensic evaluations, custody and guardianship recommendations, mediation or parent coordination, or expert testimony in civil or criminal matters; or work in the areas of corrections, law enforcement, or probation/parole.

This section was developed in response to requests from a growing number of NASW members whose professional roles and responsibilities or expertise intersect with the legal system. This section will be of interest to social workers who perform community safety or offender assessments; provide forensic evaluations, custody and guardianship recommendations, mediation or parent coordination, or expert testimony in civil or criminal matters; or work in the areas of corrections, law enforcement, or probation/parole.

Social Work and the Courts Section Committee


  • Sandra Kopels, JD, MSW – Urbana, IL (Chair)
  • Gabriela Dodson, LCSW – Santa Barbara, CA
  • Shawntelle L. Fisher, MSW/MDiv, LCSW, CRAADC  – St. Louis, MO
  • Lee King, DCC, LCSW - Las Cruces, NM
  • Ashley McSwain, MSW, MSOD - Washington, DC

Alternates

  • Amanda Biggs, MSW - Anchorage, AK
  • Melissa S. Milam, MSW, LICSW, CCTP - Washington, DC
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