Voices from Across My Office: Family Services Division
At the Office of the Attorney General, we’re proud of the broad array of work we do on behalf of the District, and the hundreds of employees who make our agency run. “Voices from Across My Office” is a new blog series highlighting some of the people behind our efforts and the variety of work they do to support, defend, and stand up for District residents. Our inaugural spotlight is on the Family Services Division.
About the Family Services Division
Our Family Services Division (FSD) at the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is guided by two missions — reuniting families and keeping District children safe. We work on behalf of some of the District’s most vulnerable residents — children experiencing abuse and neglect — by representing the Child and Family Services Agency in child abuse and neglect cases in Family Court. Throughout this process, the number one goal for FSD is always reuniting children with their families — but where that is not in the best interest of the child, we seek other alternatives like adoption or guardianship.
FSD also runs our Human Trafficking Initiative — an ongoing campaign designed to educate and train the DC community to help identify, report, and stop human trafficking. Child sex trafficking is one of the most horrific crimes, but it is often hidden and largely invisible to the public. Our initiative works to bring these crimes out of the shadows and prevent more children from falling victim to sex trafficking. In addition, FSD handles cases involving unaccompanied refugee minors and cases before the Family Treatment Court and HOPE Court.
Below are some of the dedicated team members of our Family Services Division who work every day on behalf of District residents to keep our most vulnerable children safe.
Staff Spotlights
Name: Charmetra Parker
Title: Section Chief, Child Protection 2
How Long You’ve Been at OAG: 16 years
Tell us a little bit about your job and how it impacts District residents.
As a Section Chief, I manage a group of lawyers who are responsible for our day-to-day caseload. I provide guidance and support to the lawyers who work tirelessly to keep children safe while also doing everything possible to reunite families.
You’ve been at OAG for nearly 20 years. Have you always been in family law?
Yes and no. I did a brief stint in the Office of the Solicitor General — which handles appellate litigation — but my entire case load had to do with family law appeals. I’ve always enjoyed working in Family Services because of the impact and interaction with the community.
Yes, we’re lawyers — but our job is so much more than just facts, evidence, and case files. We work to keep children safe and when we can, keep families united. We know this is an enormous responsibility, so we do our best to learn about the needs of the community and center our work around equity.
Where did you work before you came to OAG?
When I left law school, I thought that I wanted to do corporate law. So, I started out at a law firm in Baltimore City practicing in different areas. However, I quickly learned that firm life wasn’t for me. Luckily, I was able to do some family law while I was there. The work got me out of the office and into the community working with kids and families. After that, I knew I needed to make a jump to public service.
Basically, your entire career has been working with kids and families. Was that intentional?
You’re either made for this kind of work or you’re not. You must be resilient and committed. Early on, I realized that if you come to this work with the right heart and grit, you can make a real difference. Success stories are not every case, but when you’re creative and determined with your solutions, you can keep kids safe and unite families. Each case is a puzzle — and you must bring that same level of resolve and energy every time in order to be successful.
What can someone find you doing on the weekends or your spare time?
Both my sons are football stars! So, I spend a lot of time cheering them on from the bleachers!
Name: Emily Petrino
Title: Assistant Attorney General, Child Protection Section
Time At OAG: 3.5 years
Why did you become a lawyer?
Before law school, I worked at emergency children’s shelter in Arkansas, was trained as a domestic violence hotline worker, and worked on relief efforts with the local community in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit. After witnessing the inequities that fell disproportionately on these communities, I knew I wanted to get involved in social justice.
What is a previous job you had either related or unrelated to law that helps you in your current role?
I worked as a family law attorney at Bread for the City and volunteered at DC General Family Shelter through the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project for a few years before coming to OAG.
Those experiences taught me why it’s important to meet parents where they are and never lose sight of the tremendous power, we as lawyers wield in the family law system.
What is something that people in the family law space need to know to be an effective advocate?
Many of the cases that come across our desk are a byproduct of racial injustice, poverty, and income inequality. Lawyers need to recognize the cyclical nature of these things, understand the communities we serve, and champion culturally appropriate programs that can help families.
What motivates you to do this work?
Any case where we’ve been able to successfully reunite a family. Whenever we receive a case, we devote considerable time and energy to helping parents do what is necessary for their children to return safely to their care. Seeing a parent achieve their goals and being able to send the child home makes it all worth it.
Name: Hibret Tilahun
Title: Assistant Attorney General, Child Protection Section
Time At OAG: 9 years
Tell us about your path to becoming a lawyer.
I honestly never thought I’d become a lawyer. I’m shy and introverted, and I always had this perception that only extroverted people could be good lawyers. However, early in my career, I volunteered in a domestic violence shelter, which piqued my interest in practicing law — particularly public interest work. After that experience, I double downed on becoming a lawyer.
Have you always worked in family law?
Yes. Out of law school, I worked for the New York City Administration for Children Services for roughly 7 years. It was similar to the work I do now at OAG on behalf of the Child and Family Services Agency.
Did you ever consider practicing in another area?
Not really. I sincerely believe in the work we do — especially now that I have a child of my own. No one wants a child to be removed from a home, so we try to do everything possible to ensure parents have the necessary resources to address the needs of a child.
I might not fully understand what it’s like to be a parent with limited resources, but I’ve gained a lot of empathy for those parents who raise children with limited support. Helping parents succeed ultimately helps the child succeed!
Do you have a pre-trial ritual?
The night before a trial, I always read my opening statement out loud and time myself. After all these years of practicing, I still get a little stressed — but I think that’s a good thing!
Name: Ally Menezes
Title: Assistant Attorney General, Child Protection Section
Time At OAG: 2 years
Tell us about your day-to-day at OAG.
I run point on our outreach and education to combat human trafficking, so I’m constantly communicating with schools, businesses, government agencies, and non-profits in the community to schedule trainings and workshops for youth and adults.
I also manage a small caseload involving young people who have been trafficked or who are at high risk of being trafficked, and screen all new cases coming in for trafficking concerns to ensure we are handling those cases in a trauma-informed way.
What drew you to work in family law?
The ability to help vulnerable people, especially women and children that face undue burdens in the community and in the legal system. Early on in undergrad I did an internship with an anti-trafficking organization in D.C. that really opened my eyes to this horrible crime and affirmed my interest in assisting young people who have been abused.
I’m grateful that I get to work on cases as well as outreach and education — so I can work to tackle the issue from all sides!
What is the number one quality that FSD lawyers must have to do this work effectively?
Compassion. I know people don’t often equate lawyers with compassion. But we work with families — who are often going through traumatic times. Therefore, you must be compassionate, and you must be a good listener. That is often what keeps us grounded and drives us to continue doing this work.
What keeps you motivated to do this kind of work?
From an outreach perspective, for me, it’s when I see the proverbial lightbulb go off in someone’s head when I can tell they have a greater understanding of what trafficking looks like here in D.C. and are starting to think of occasions when they may have spotted a trafficking situation.
They now have the tools to know how to act on that. I know I’ve made a difference because a major part of stopping trafficking is ensuring that more people know how to spot it and report it. I also just had a baby of my own and that motivates me even more to help keep children and youth safe from abuse.
Name: Anna Chayka
Title: Paralegal Specialist
Time at OAG: 2 years
Tell us a little bit about your role.
I assist attorneys on the back end of things with tasks like drafting court orders, preparing subpoenas and summonses, redacting case documents, and assisting attorneys in preparing for trial and court hearings.
At first glance, it might not seem glamorous but it’s very important and I enjoy the work. When I do my job effectively, the attorneys can spend more time preparing for court and interfacing with our clients.
Have you always worked in the family law area?
No. My first job as a paralegal was an internship at the state attorney’s office in Maryland — which turned into a full-time job. While I was there, I worked in the gang and repeat offender unit and then the homicide unit. After five years of that, I was ready for a change. I knew I wanted to stay with public service, but I was looking for something relating to kids and families.
Why kids and families particularly?
Some part of me has always wanted to work in an area that helps kids get a better chance at life. I immigrated to this country at age 13 from Russia — largely for that exact reason. To be clear, while my experience is no comparison to the cases I work on, my journey to America it is part of what motivates me to help others.
What’s the last book you read?
It’s called “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World” written by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. Recommended reading for everyone — especially in these current and challenging times.
