2023 CDF Proctor Institute Leadership

Julia L. Davis joined the Children’s Defense Fund-New York in 2018 as the Director of Youth Justice and Child Welfare. In her role she works in partnership with young people, defenders, service providers and other advocates to advance policies that support children and youth who may have contact with the child welfare or criminal legal system. She has spent two decades working on behalf of young people through civil rights litigation, public policy, research and public engagement campaigns. Prior to coming to CDF, she was a senior attorney at Children’s Rights, leading reform litigation for system-involved youth across the country. Prior to becoming an attorney, she conducted research and led public health campaigns for adolescents and young adults at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. She has also worked as a consultant to the NYC Administration for Children’s Services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and community health from Brown University and a law degree from the Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University. Julia lives in Brooklyn with her son and husband, a city educator.