FIRST Legal Clinic - Everett, WA

Upstream Legal Advocacy and Family Preservation in Everett

The threat of Child Protective Services intervention or newborn removal at birth is one of the most frightening challenges an expectant parent can face. Located on Wetmore Avenue in Everett, the FIRST Legal Clinic (Family Intervention Response to Stop Trauma) provides free, confidential legal advocacy and wraparound support to prevent family separations. Founded in 2019 by attorneys Adam Ballout, Taila AyAy, and Neil Weiss alongside healthcare providers, the clinic operates an innovative medical-legal partnership that intervenes upstream before dependency petitions enter court.

Traditional public defense in child welfare matters begins only after a newborn is removed and traumatic court filings have occurred. FIRST Legal Clinic shifts this paradigm by offering proactive counsel to pregnant persons and new parents facing substance use recovery, mental health hurdles, or child welfare scrutiny. Under the leadership of founding executive director Taila AyAy, recognized as Snohomish County Attorney of the Year and recipient of the Walt Zabriskie Award, the clinic has helped over 1,200 families avoid court involvement and stay safely together.

Child Custody Defense and Parental Rights Protection

Every parent deserves informed representation when navigating interactions with child welfare investigators and hospital social work teams. Operating as dedicated child custody lawyers and family advocates, the attorneys at FIRST Legal Clinic offer free legal guidance to safeguard parental autonomy:

• Pre-petition legal advocacy: Advising expectant parents during pregnancy to help them understand their rights, navigate hospital birth plans, and prepare for medical evaluations.
• Child Protective Services defense: Representing parents during CPS investigations and safety conferences to prevent newborn removals.
• Child custody lawyers: Safeguarding parental custody and establishing safe, stable family care plans that avoid court dependency filings.
• Voluntary placement protections: Protecting parents against coercive agreements by ensuring fair terms, clear revocation procedures, and ongoing legal review.

Holistic Peer Advocacy and Medical-Legal Partnerships

What sets FIRST Legal Clinic apart is its integrated team of parent allies. These advocates have lived experience navigating the child welfare system and walk alongside clients to provide emotional support, connect families with substance use treatment, and secure essential baby items. By collaborating directly with healthcare providers such as Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and Swedish Hospital, the clinic fosters communication that keeps parents and babies safely united.

Protection Orders and Domestic Violence Advocacy

When interpersonal conflict or intimate partner violence threatens family safety, the clinic domestic violence lawyers provide urgent legal assistance. The team helps clients secure domestic violence protection orders, locate safe transitional housing, and implement safety plans that shield parent and child while protecting custody rights.

Free, Confidential Legal Help Available Around the Clock

FIRST Legal Clinic maintains an intake helpline seven days a week, ensuring parents and referring healthcare professionals can access timely legal guidance. All services are offered completely free of charge, with bilingual support available for Spanish-speaking clients. If you or a family member need a lawyer in Everett to protect your parental rights, or are seeking to find an attorney committed to preserving family integrity, FIRST Legal Clinic provides compassionate, trauma-informed advocacy.