Matthew I. Fraidin

Matthew I. Fraidin is a Professor of Law at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. Previously, he served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (2022-2024) and Associate Dean of Experiential and Clinical Programs (2017-2020). He teaches Civil Procedure, Torts, and Externship seminars. His expertise lies in child welfare law, family law, and clinical legal education, with a focus on kinship care, child abuse/neglect, and legal advocacy for marginalized families. He has held roles including Legal Director at The Children’s Law Center and Supervising Attorney at The Legal Aid Society of D.C., and advised Vice President Al Gore.

Education:

• B.A., Haverford College
• J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School

Research Interests: Professor Fraidin advocates for systemic reforms in child welfare systems, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and family-centered approaches. His work addresses cognitive biases in dependency courts, narrative construction in legal proceedings, and improving representation for parents involved with child welfare agencies. He actively promotes kinship care and opposes unnecessary foster care placements.

Advocacy & Leadership: He directs the D.C. Child Abuse and Neglect Moot Court Project and serves on the board of the D.C. Affordable Law Firm. His advocacy includes testimony before legislative bodies and frequent public speaking on child welfare, including keynote addresses at national conferences.

Labs/Teams: His work involves collaboration with clinical programs like the General Practice Clinic and the Domestic Violence Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center. He co-founded initiatives to improve transparency in family court proceedings and has led projects analyzing D.C.’s child welfare policies.