Welcoming a New Leadership Team to Advance Our Vision for Children’s Advocacy

The Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts (CLCM) is entering an exciting new chapter. Guided by Executive Director Jenny Chou and a newly assembled leadership team committed to providing the highest quality legal representation to children across the Commonwealth, we are expanding our focus on strategic advocacy and impact work. 

Since stepping into her role in October 2023, Jenny has moved quickly and intentionally to bring on individuals with a shared vision for CLCM’s future: pairing strong, individual representation with systemic advocacy that addresses the root problems facing our clients.  

In September 2024, we welcomed Shruti Peri, Alexis Williams Torrey and Lauren Russell to our team, followed by Claire Valentin in January 2025. Each of these leaders brings their own expertise: in representing youth in foster care, youth involved with the juvenile legal system, students denied access to a high-quality education, and immigrant youth seeking humanitarian protection.  Each adds critical skills, experience, and dedication to strengthen our work in both direct representation and broader changes to policy and practices. 

From our earliest days fighting for children “stuck” in state facilities, CLCM has stayed true to its mission of defending the rights of vulnerable youth. Under Jenny Chou’s leadership, this new leadership team builds on that legacy with a renewed emphasis and drive to expand children’s equitable access to achieve their own life goals. Together with the support of our board, staff, and community, we are confident that we can bring our vision to life and become a voice for systemic reform while continuing to fight for individual children’s rights in courts, schools, and communities.