Erin Gallagher-Rule 9
PROVIDING EXCELLENT REPRESENTATION
"I'm dedicated to ensuring your story is heard and your rights are protected. My role isn't just to represent you, but to fight for your family's future."
What makes Erin Gallagher Uniquely Qualified to Represent you?
Erin Gallagher is a Rule 9 Legal Extern whose dedication to parental defense and social justice makes her a fierce and compassionate advocate for families navigating the dependency system. She approaches each case with a deep understanding of both the legal and human impact of child welfare proceedings, ensuring that parents receive not only strong legal representation but also the knowledge and support they need to advocate for themselves. Her background in social work and legal defense gives her a unique ability to assess cases holistically, anticipate systemic barriers, and develop strategic approaches to overcoming them. She is highly skilled at building trust with clients, identifying critical legal issues, and remaining steadfast under pressure, making her a strong and reliable advocate in even the most challenging cases. Erin’s passion for fairness and family preservation fuels her work in holding child welfare agencies accountable, ensuring due process, and fighting for parental rights.
Education
Erin Gallagher graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Eastern Washington University and will earn her Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law in May 2025. She completed her undergraduate education at Beloit College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
experience
Erin Gallagher’s unique blend of social work experience and legal training makes her a strong and well-rounded advocate for parents in dependency cases. During her Master of Social Work program, she completed a practicum with the Parent Representation Program, where she discovered her passion for parents’ defense and developed skills in advocating for families, understanding DCYF policies, and integrating holistic support with legal representation.
As a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern, Erin Gallagher continues to hone her litigation skills, focusing on zealous advocacy, policy analysis, and direct client representation. Her ability to integrate the core principles of social work—client empowerment, systems analysis, and trauma-informed advocacy—into legal defense makes her a uniquely effective advocate.
Why Intern/Extern at Parents Defense Counsel?
At Parents Defense Counsel (PDC), we are committed not only to fierce advocacy for parents but also to mentorship, hands-on experience, and meaningful professional development for law students, interns, and externs. Our firm offers a unique opportunity to gain real-world legal experience in a collaborative, supportive environment that prioritizes growth and learning.
What is it like to intern/extern at PDC?
Hear from Erin Gallagher, Rule 9 Legal Extern:
🌟 What initially attracted you to this internship?
“I was initially attracted to this internship because of the story of the firm’s establishment. Parents Defense Counsel was created to bridge a gap in consistent and centralized representation for parents navigating dependency proceedings in Spokane, while also challenging the traditional ‘status quo’ for new lawyers entering the legal field. Unlike many firms where onboarding support is minimal and work environments feel sterile, PDC fosters a culture of direct mentorship, real-world litigation experience, and genuine support from both managing attorneys and colleagues.”
💡 What advice would you give to law students considering this internship?
“Take your learning into your own hands. Interns who thrive at PDC come in with clear goals about what they want to experience and accomplish. Whether it’s gaining Rule 9 courtroom experience, working closely with an attorney whose advocacy inspires you, or challenging yourself with complex legal writing, you will grow immensely as both a future lawyer and an individual. PDC provides an unparalleled launching pad into the legal field—especially for those who take full advantage of every opportunity offered.“
Interested in joining our team?
Parents Defense Counsel is looking for motivated, passionate law students who want to gain hands-on experience in dependency law, trial advocacy, and family defense. If you are looking for mentorship, courtroom exposure, and the chance to make a real impact, we invite you to apply!
📩 Use our contact form to learn more about internship and externship opportunities. In the message box, let us know you’re interested, and we’ll be in touch to get you started!