Joshua B. Kay

Joshua B. Kay is a Clinical Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School, serving as co-director of the 1L Advocacy Clinic and Child Advocacy Law Clinic while teaching in the Child Welfare Appellate Clinic.

Education:

• BA with high honors from Oberlin College (Phi Beta Kappa, R.H. Stetson Award in Psychology and Psychobiology)
• MA and PhD in Psychology from the University of Michigan (Regents’ Fellow)
• JD, cum laude, from the University of Michigan

Research Focus: Professor Kay specializes in the intersection of disability law and child protection systems, with extensive litigation experience in Michigan trial courts, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. His work examines mental health evaluations in child welfare cases, advocacy strategies for children with disabilities, and systemic reforms for juvenile discovery procedures, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration to improve early childhood outcomes.

Awards:

• Skadden Fellowship for public interest law
• University of Michigan Council for Disability Concerns Certificate of Appreciation

Professional Engagement: He regularly presents at statewide conferences including the Michigan Statewide Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect and Michigan Appellate Bench-Bar Conference, delivering critical updates on child welfare law to judicial and child protection professionals. His clinical leadership in the Child Advocacy Law Clinic trains students in high-stakes representation of vulnerable children and parents through direct litigation experience.