Think about the kids
By Ray Smith HAMBURG When shes not reading nonfiction, painting pottery, spending time with her family, or taking kickboxing classes, Dana Van Leuven, a young super attorney, is helping families go through a tough part of life: family court.
She said her own family went through a divorce when she was a child, which was a driving factor in her decision to enter family law.
As a child I really didnt understand what was going on and it inspired me to become an attorney today, she said. It inspired me to help children deal with the impact that divorce has on families.
Van Leuven, a Wallkill High School graduate and Hamburg resident, is an attorney at the Morristown-based law office of David T. OSullivan.
Having grown up in Sussex County, thats where my roots are, Van Leuven said. I live there now even though it would be easier to live in Morristown. I believe Sussex County is a great place to live. Its where my family is. Its just a good place to have your home.
Van Leuven, as a family attorney, holds a number of leadership positions in the legal community.
She is the co-chair of the Young Lawyers Committee in the Sussex County Bar Association, the Sussex and Warren counties representative to the New Jersey State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and also completes pro bono work to benefit victims of domestic abuse at New Jersey Battered Womens Services.
My sorority in college was always assisting victims of domestic violence, she said. So thats where my interest in domestic violence started. I was fortunate because one of my previous employers was very active in working with volunteers for domestic violence, and he enabled me to be able to spend the time to volunteer and do the pro bono work.
Van Leuven added that her current employer also encourages her to volunteer through pro bono work. She is also a member of the pro bono committee for the New Jersey Bar Association.
She left Sussex County for her education Rutgers for her undergraduate degree and Hofstra University for her law degree but she returned back home after completing her studies five years ago.
Van Leuven said helping her clients extends beyond the courtroom.
As an attorney your obligation first and foremost is to advocate for your client, she said. However, you also have the opportunity to counsel your client and remind your client that every decision he or she makes has an impact on the children. You need to encourage your client to act in a matter that not only benefits them personally but also benefits the children involved.
But in addition to protecting and helping children, she also works to protect her clients.
Van Leuven said she works approximately 55 hours per week.
Not only can you help navigate them through the legal system to make sure their legal rights are protected, she said. You are also able to help them on a personal level. A lot of clients look to you for guidance.