A 1996 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Attorney Ghio has over a decade of experience representing children and their parents in special education, disability discrimination, child abuse and neglect, and juvenile justice matters. Prior to establishing a private law practice in 2010, Attorney Ghio was an Assistant Child Advocate at the Office of the Child Advocate, the Director of the Child Abuse Project at the Center for Children’s Advocacy, and an attorney at the Disabilities Rights Center and the New Hampshire Public Defender.
Throughout her career, Attorney Ghio has fought to improve the lives of children through individual representation, participation in class actions, and policy advocacy. As an Assistant Child Advocate, Attorney Ghio represented the Child Advocate in the case of W.R. et. al. v. DCF, et. al., a federal class action filed by Connecticut Legal Services on behalf of children with serious mental illness or behavioral health issues, resulting in a $10 million settlement agreement to increase services over a three year period. In 2005, Attorney Ghio led a successful effort to reform the system by which attorneys are appointed to represent children and parents in child abuse and neglect cases, resulting in legislation establishing the Commission on Child Protection. In 2006, Attorney Ghio filed an amicus brief in the Connecticut Supreme Court in the case of In re: Christina M., et al, on behalf of the Center for Children’s Advocacy, the Office of the Child Advocate, the National Association of Counsel for Children, Connecticut Voices for Children, Legal Assistance Resource Center, Connecticut Legal Services, Inc., Greater Hartford Legal Aid, New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Inc., and Children’s Law Center.
Because of her extensive knowledge and experience in representing children in special education, disability discrimination, child abuse and neglect, and juvenile justice matters, Attorney Ghio has been called upon to mentor attorneys who are new to representing children and to provide trainings and technical assistance to attorneys and others advocating on behalf of children. In recognition of her strong advocacy on behalf of children, Attorney Ghio received the Connecticut Law Tribune’s “Young Leaders in the Law” award in 2005.
Attorney Ghio is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, the National Association of Counsel for Children, and the Connecticut Bar Association.
For a complete resume, please contact Attorney Ghio.
