Many people have heard of a guardian ad litem, a lawyer who represents the interest of a child in family court matters. But how about parent representation? It is what it sounds like, providing legal representation to families that can’t afford it, but it’s much less known. Carlyn Hicks, a senior staff attorney and clinical adjunct professor at Mission First Legal Aid Office at Mississippi College School of Law, is spearheading efforts to make parent representation in child welfare cases a reality for Mississippi families.