RALEIGH, NC – The Child’s Advocate (TCA), a project of Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC), is pleased to announce the appointment of Atiya M. Mosley as its new Project Director. Mosley, former co-director of TCA alongside Suzanne Chester, brings a wealth of experience and commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of children.
Mosley, a graduate of George Washington University Law School, joined the Raleigh office of LANC in 2005 as a Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative attorney. Since 2017, she has been an integral part of TCA, where she has represented child clients and served as the Strategy Manager for the implementation of LANC’s Strategic Plan.
Mosley, a graduate of George Washington University Law School, joined the Raleigh office of LANC in 2005 as a Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative attorney. Since 2017, she has been an integral part of TCA, where she has represented child clients and served as the Strategy Manager for the implementation of LANC’s Strategic Plan.
In addition to her legal expertise, Mosley has presented numerous Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs in the areas of lawyer well-being, ethics, domestic violence, and family law. Her dedication to her work has been recognized with the Attorney Child Advocate of the Year award in 2003 and the Wake Woman of the Year by the Wake Women Attorneys in 2016.
TCA, a project committed to providing attorneys for children in highly contested private custody cases, is appointed by judges in family court in Wake and Durham counties. The project addresses cases involving domestic violence, child abuse or mistreatment, substance abuse or mental instability of a parent, relocation of a parent, or a child with special needs.
“Our role is different from that of guardian ad litem (GAL). Instead of deciding what is best for our clients, we investigate and advocate for what our clients believe is best for them. To do this, we collaborate with mental health providers to better understand our clients’ perspectives and preferences. Throughout our representation of our clients, we maintain a confidential attorney-client relationship,” explains Mosley.
The project settles most cases without the need for a trial by collaborating with parents and their attorneys. In cases requiring a trial, TCA presents evidence and calls witnesses to ensure the court learns about the child’s experience, concerns and preferences.
Mosley expressed her enthusiasm about taking on this expanded role, stating, “I am excited and honored to lead The Child’s Advocate in making a real difference in the lives of children in North Carolina. Our commitment to providing representation and advocating for vulnerable children is unwavering. I look forward to continuing the impactful work of this project.”
TCA recruits and trains pro bono attorneys from the private family law bar to ensure that every child appointed an attorney has dedicated representation. The project aims to expand its services gradually to additional counties in North Carolina, furthering its mission to protect and advocate for the rights of children.
When I started this project, I didn’t know what to expect. It’s not always easy to get people to share their stories, let alone such raw stories of fear and survival. To my surprise, we found three powerful, strong women who agreed to speak with me and did the strongest thing they could – share their stories.
‘Beyond Fear,’ a documentary that seeks to shed light on the stories of domestic violence survivors, came into being one morning in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. As a first-time filmmaker, I embarked on this journey alongside a dedicated team of videographers, not knowing just how profoundly it would impact my life.
Our initial meeting was with Amy, the ultimate star of the film. She courageously welcomed us into her home, meeting us with love and openness that instantly put us at ease. Little did we know that this would be the beginning of an unforgettable journey.
As we spent time with Amy, we laughed together, cried together, and shared experiences that transcended mere words. Her warmth and resilience were palpable, and her willingness to relive painful memories for the sake of helping others was nothing short of inspirational. Amy’s story was one of survival, of breaking free from the clutches of an abusive relationship, and ultimately finding her strength. She was, and remains, a beacon of hope.
But Amy was just the beginning. After her, we had the privilege of meeting Aracely and Gina, two more incredible women who shared their stories with us. Like Amy, they opened their hearts and homes to a group of strangers, and their courage left an indelible mark on us.
What united these three remarkable women was not only their survival but also the vital role that Legal Aid of North Carolina played in helping them escape their painful situations. It was through the dedicated efforts of our domestic violence advocates that Amy, Aracely, and Gina found the legal support they needed to break free from their abusers and start anew.
As we delved deeper into their stories, it became evident that ‘Beyond Fear’ was not just a documentary but a powerful testament to the strength of survivors and the importance of organizations like ours. It highlighted the crucial role played by advocates and lawyers in helping survivors navigate the complex legal system and find their path to safety and healing.
I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Amy, Aracely, and Gina. Your willingness to share your stories with us, to relive those painful moments, and to open your hearts and homes to our team was an act of immense courage and selflessness. You are the heart and soul of ‘Beyond Fear,’ and your strength will undoubtedly inspire countless others who watch your journey.
Written by Helen Hobson, Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Chief Communications Officer
Anyone who is 18 years of age or older has the right to start a lawsuit in the North Carolina court system. If the lawsuit is for a claim of $10,000 or less (this amount can vary by county), it can be brought into Small Claims Court, which is available in every county. This guide tells you how to fill out the right forms, prepare for trial, handle the trial, and follow through on the judge’s decision.
Please see below statement regarding the winding down of The Child’s Advocate
Since 2008, The Child’s Advocate has provided dedicated representation to more than 400 Wake and Durham County children in high-conflict custody battles involving domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, parental mental instability, relocation, and/or special needs. For the past 11 years, The Child’s Advocate has operated as a regional project of Legal Aid of North Carolina. Its model of direct representation, which remains unique, is now being replicated on a national scale. In response to four years of declining domestic violence grant funding across the state, we made the difficult decision to sunset The Child’s Advocate project by August 31, 2025.
Effective immediately, The Child’s Advocate will no longer accept new appointments. Existing clients will continue to receive representation until their cases are resolved, or their matters will be transitioned to trained pro bono attorney volunteers. Current pro bono volunteers and experienced family law attorneys who are willing to help should contact probono@legalaidnc.org to express interest.
Moving forward, Legal Aid of North Carolina will continue to support children within the context of family violence cases, focusing on critical issues such as child custody, child support, and protective orders. This transition does not diminish the importance or impact of The Child’s Advocate program, whose direct representation model has significantly shaped family court outcomes.
“I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done,” said Managing Attorney and Project Director Atiya Mosley. “Our small but dedicated team has always strived for excellence in advocating for the voices of children. It is with a heavy heart that we must wind down this important program. While this chapter closes, our commitment to children’s rights remains steadfast.”
Legal Aid of North Carolina CEO Ashley Campbell echoed this sentiment: “The fact that we cannot continue The Child’s Advocate is a huge disappointment, but at the same time, we celebrate the program’s accomplishments and the families whose lives were positively impacted by this work.”
The Child’s Advocate expresses its deepest gratitude to its partners, donors, volunteers, the judiciary and the wider community for their support over the years. The program was fortunate to be led by passionate advocates, including founder Sally Scherer, who paved the way for child representation in Wake County Family Court, and Suzanne Chester, who directed the project for many years. Special thanks also go to former Legal Aid of North Carolina ED George Hausen and Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Chief Legal Officer Celia Pistolis for accepting The Child’s Advocate as a Legal Aid of North Carolina program.
“We have been fortunate to collaborate with many talented family law attorneys who have generously volunteered their time, as well as members of our advisory board who have remained committed to The Child’s Advocate’s mission since its founding,” Mosley added. “Our donors’ support has made a lasting impact, and we hope that one day we will be able to resume this essential work for children in need.”
While TCA’s services may be winding down, its legacy in advocating for children’s rights and ensuring that children have a voice in their own futures will continue to inspire and inform future efforts to protect children in the legal system. Donations in honor of The Child’s Advocate and its work over the years may be made here.
About
The Child’s Advocate is a project of Legal Aid of North Carolina that provides attorneys for children in highly contested private custody cases. We are appointed by judges in family court in Wake and Durham counties to represent children in cases with the following: domestic violence, child abuse or mistreatment, substance abuse or mental instability of a parent, relocation of a parent, or a child with special needs.
By working with the parents and their attorneys, we settle most of our cases without the need for a trial. But when a trial is necessary, we present evidence and call witnesses so that the Court learns about the child’s experience, concerns and preferences.
Our role is different from that of a guardian ad litem (GAL). Instead of deciding what is best for our clients, we investigate and advocate for what our clients believe is best for them. To do this, we collaborate with mental health providers so we can better understand our clients’ perspectives and preferences. Throughout our representation of our clients, we maintain a confidential attorney-client relationship.
The Child’s Advocate recruits and trains pro bono attorneys from the private family law bar to ensure that we have the resources to represent every child appointed an attorney.
Our hope is to gradually expand our services to additional counties in North Carolina.
