Protecting Genesee County Children's Rights with Integrity
Compassionate and expert legal representation for youth involved
in CPS and juvenile delinquency court cases
ABOUT US
Dedicated to CPS and Juvenile Delinquency Cases
Child Advocacy Team (CAT) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit law firm that exclusively represents kids in CPS and delinquency court cases in Genesee County, Michigan. We have been contracted with Genesee County to provide these services exclusively on a court-appointed basis since April 1, 2004. Our expert attorneys specialize and practice only in these unique areas of the law and are dedicated to helping our young clients navigate the complex issues associated with these cases. CAT attorneys are L-GALs (lawyer-guardian ad litems) in CPS cases and juvenile defense attorneys in delinquency cases. These roles are significantly different because as L-GALs we express our client's wishes to the court (lawyer) while also advocating for our client's best interests (guardian ad litem). In juvenile delinquency cases we are strictly defense attorneys working to obtain the best outcome for our juvenile clients.
Experienced and Knowledgeable Team
Our five attorneys have years of experience handling neglect/abuse and delinquency cases and are well-versed in the latest legal developments in these fields. You can trust our team to provide you with the most up-to-date legal advice and representation. No one works harder than our team for your kids!
Tailored Strategy for Your Unique Situation
We understand that every case is different, which is why we take a tailored approach to each client's situation. Our attorneys work with our clients to develop a strategy that fits the case's specific needs and goals and obtains the best possible outcome for our client.
How CAT is Different
Most attorneys that practice in this field do so on a part-time basis. CAT has had the privilege of representing our clients and dedicating our expertise to our clients on a full-time basis since April 1, 2004. We don't do anything else. That gives our attorneys unparalleled knowledge and experience in these cases and our clients a superior level of legal representation.
STAFF
KAREN K. BUNKER, J.D. - Managing Attorney
KBUNKER@L-GAL.ORG; 810-813-5871
PRELIMINARY HEARING AND CAT DATABASE SPECIALIST. Ms. Bunker attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was admitted to the Michigan State Bar on December 2, 1992. Attorney Bunker is active and in good standing with the Michigan State Bar. She is a member of the Children's Law Section of the Michigan Bar Association. Ms. Bunker is a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC). Ms. Bunker has been employed by CAT as a full-time staff attorney since April 1, 2004. Attorney Bunker is in her 33rd year of practice, 21 of those years being devoted to representation of juveniles in delinquency and child protection proceedings. Ms. Bunker has practical experience in Child Protection Proceedings and in Juvenile Law. Attorney Bunker was assigned to Judge David Newblatt's courtroom until he left the family division and joined the civil/criminal division of Genesee County Circuit Court. Since that time, Ms. Bunker has attended most of the initial court hearings representing children in cases filed in Genesee County against parents by CPS with allegations of abuse or neglect of their child/ren and cases filed against juveniles alleging criminal activity (delinquencies). Prior to joining CAT in 2004, Ms. Bunker had extensive experience in criminal defense and civil litigation, as well as appellate law, estate planning, EPIC minor guardianships, juvenile guardianships, parental waivers and mental health commitment proceedings. Attorney Bunker also developed and maintains CAT's extensive online client database on the Microsoft Office 365 platform and she handles all donations solicited and received by CAT.
SHAYLA D. BLANKENSHIP, J.D. - Staff Attorney
SBLANKENSHIP@L-GAL.ORG; 810-230-4320
CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO JUDGE ANTHONY McDOWELL'S COURTROOM. Ms. Blankenship attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was admitted to the Michigan State Bar on May 22, 2002. Ms. Blankenship is in good standing with the Michigan State Bar. Ms. Blankenship has extensive experience in Child Protection Proceedings, Juvenile Justice, Adoptions and Family Law. Ms. Blankenship is a past president of the Genesee County Bar Association (GCBA), past member of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly, former Member of the GCBA Community Action Committee and Former GCBA chairperson of the Family Law Committee, and a current member of the Children's Law Section of the Michigan Bar Association. Ms. Blankenship also serves as treasurer of the Flushing Valley Swim Association and an active volunteer for the Flushing Community School Music program. Ms. Blankenship joined CAT as a staff attorney on September 1, 2019.
TERINA M. CARTE, J.D., C.W.L.S. - Managing Attorney
TCARTE@L-GAL.ORG; 810-412-8668
CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO JUDGE ARIANA HEATH'S COURTROOM. Attorney Carte graduated cum laude from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Michigan Bar in November 1999. Ms. Carte is active and is in good standing with the Michigan State Bar Association. She is a member of both the Criminal Law and Children's Law Sections of the Michigan Bar, as well as the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC). She has been certified by the NACC as a Child Welfare Law Specialist (CWLS) since 2012. Attorney Carte has also been a council member of the Children's Law Section since 2017 and served as Council Chair in 2023 and 2024. She also serves on the Education, Legislative and Juvenile Representation Committees of the Children’s Law Section, which is currently working on reforms and legislation to improve representation of minors in delinquency proceedings. Terina has been employed by the Child Advocacy Team (CAT) as a full-time staff attorney and now managing attorney since June 2004, where she has dedicated her legal practice to the representation of minors in delinquency and child protection proceedings. Attorney Carte was the dedicated L-GAL for children involved in the Genesee County Baby Court from its inception in 2008 until it was dissolved several years later. She participated in several work groups to assist the Michigan Juvenile Justice Task Force in making their recommendations for statewide reform of Michigan's juvenile justice system and received the 2024 Michigan CASA L-GAL of the year award. Terina has most recently been recruited by the Juvenile Division of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) to assist in training Michigan juvenile justice defense attorneys.
TERESA R. HOLIFIELD, J.D. - Staff Attorney
THOLIFIELD@L-GAL.ORG; 810-908-0537
CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO JUDGE DAWN WEIER'S COURTROOM. Ms. Holifield attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was admitted to the Michigan State Bar on May 7, 1993. Ms. Holifield is active and is in good standing with the Michigan State Bar Association. She is a member of both the American Indian Law and Children's Law Sections of the Michigan Bar Association. Attorney Holifield has been employed by CAT as a full-time staff attorney since April 1, 2004. On July 28, 2004, Ms. Holifield was named as the Legal Advocate of the Year by the Genesee County Family Independence Agency. It was the first time that an L-GAL was so named. Ms. Holifield appeared on ABC Channel 12 Newsmaker, air date February 8, 2004, to discuss the role, the duties and the obligations of lawyer-guardian ad litems to their minor child clients. Ms. Holifield is a skilled trial attorney with extensive litigation experience in the family court division of the circuit court. She has had practical experience in Child Protection Proceedings and in Juvenile Law. Teresa also has extensive experience in family law, criminal law and appellate law. Of her 32 years in practice, 21 of those years were devoted to the representation of juveniles in delinquency and child protection proceedings. Attorney Holifield is a regular attendee of the annual meeting or conference of the Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Ms. Holifield is a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children.
MARCEY STIPES, J.D. - Staff Attorney
MSTIPES@L-GAL.ORG; 810-295-1217
CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO JUDGE MARY HOOD'S COURTROOM. Ms. Stipes graduated from Detroit College of Law and was admitted to the Michigan Bar on November 25, 1992. Ms. Stipes is active and in good standing with the Michigan Bar Association. Attorney Stipes has extensive experience in Family Law including custody, child support, and paternity matters. Ms. Stipes has been employed full time with CAT since April 5, 2021 and has only represented kids since then. Prior to her employment at CAT, Ms. Stipes was with Attorneys for Indigent Defense (AID) and Attorneys for Indigent Mothers (AIM) and, in addition to her general family practice, she represented mothers in CPS cases here in Genesee County. Ms. Stipes also represented mothers in the Genesee County Baby Court from its inception in 2008 until April 1, 2021.
Ways to Help
Blankets
Stuffed Animals
We're always looking for new blankets to give to our clients. Sometimes our clients move from place to place and having a nice soft, comfortable blanket to call their own to take with them might make their situation just a little better.
Stuffed Animals
Stuffed Animals
A soft cuddly stuffed animal can be comforting to our young clients who are experiencing difficult emotions.
Foster Closet
Foster Closet
To donate items to support children in foster care, consider donating new and gently used clothing, hygiene products, baby supplies, school supplies, and toys to local foster care organizations like the Michigan Foster Care Closet. Many children arrive in foster care with very few belongings, making donations of essentials and comfort items particularly valuable.
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