Frank E. Vandervort

Frank E. Vandervort serves as a Clinical Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School, co-directing the 1L Advocacy Clinic and Child Advocacy Law Clinic. His work focuses on legal representation for children and systemic reform in juvenile justice and child welfare systems, with deep commitment to public interest law and interdisciplinary collaboration.

His educational background includes a BA from Michigan State University and JD from Wayne State University. Professional leadership roles encompass past presidency of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and editorial board membership for Child Maltreatment journal.

Research priorities emphasize:

• Juvenile Justice system reform
• Child welfare policy implementation
• Mandated reporting of child maltreatment
• Interdisciplinary legal-medical approaches
• Criminal law applications in child protection
• Public interest litigation strategies

Vandervort co-founded the Juvenile Justice Clinic in 2009 and maintains active engagement with national organizations including APSAC, where he previously chaired the Amicus and Public Policy Committee. His clinical programs provide experiential training for law students in direct client representation.

Professional contributions extend to frequent presentations at major conferences including APSAC's Annual Colloquium and National Citizen Review Panel Conferences, covering federal child welfare legislation, court report writing, and substance-exposed infants. Media commentary appears in Texas Public Radio, Detroit Free Press, ABA Journal, CNN, and The Conversation on child abuse prevention, parental liability, and gun safety laws.