Deputy Attorney General, Delaware Department of Justice
Having a penchant for helping others, Michelle Skoranski decided law was the best way to make a meaningful impact. She began her career as a paralegal before enrolling in law school, balancing both. Pursing family law, including helping those going through divorce or child custody, she enjoyed guiding individuals “through probably the hardest thing they ever have to go through.”
She worked in private practice for several years, holding a state contract representing parents who had lost their rights to their children. Now, Skoranski works on the flip side as the deputy attorney general in the Delaware Department of Justice within the child-protection unit. There, she continues her work of protecting the state’s youth, especially those who have been abused or neglected by parents.
Wanting to ensure continued safety for children, Skoranski also pursues legal action against failure to report child abuse or neglect cases, which is compulsory in Delaware. She and two other lawyers are also drafting a standards handbook for parent attorneys, which they hope to complete next year. It’s emotionally taxing work, but its rewards are plentiful.
“You’ve been seeing this child in care for so long, and when they finally get permanency, whether it’s being adopted or being placed back with a parent or family member, that just makes everything worth it,” she says.
