Pamela Crawford

Pamela Toney Crawford, B.S., J.D., has served as an adjunct faculty at the Tulane School of Professional Advancement since 2000 where she currently teaches Introduction to Paralegal Studies in the General Legal Studies Program and Legal and Ethical Principles of Wellness Management in the Kinesiology Program. She has also taught Law Office Management, Legal Writing, Litigation and the Paralegal Practicum.

Attorney Crawford earned her B.S. from Xavier University of Louisiana; her Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in General Legal Studies from Tulane University; and her J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas.  Her thirty years legal experience began as a Corporate and Litigation Paralegal and Trial Attorney.  During her eighteen years as a Mental Health Advocate Attorney, she represents adults and children across the court, mental health and educational systems to ensure that their mental health needs are met, and their legal rights are protected. She provides continuing legal education on Mental Health Law, and in-service training to healthcare workers, mental health administrators, professionals and clinicians in various mental health settings on voluntary and involuntary admissions, judicial commitments, legal competency, change of status, transfer, discharge, the privacy of mental health records, and other mental health law policy issues that affect the ethical and legal rights of people with mental illnesses, including patient autonomy, freedom of choice, and consent to treatment.  She is currently working on a research project focused on evidence-based practice in mental health treatment associated with poverty, child welfare and the criminal justice system. She is certified by the Louisiana Supreme Court to represent children in abuse and neglect cases where she protects, advocates and serves as a voice for the rights of children in the legal system. She serves on the Louisiana State Bar Association Children’s Law Committee.  She enjoys spending time at The Fly with her grand-dog, Taffy.      

What is the best advice you've ever received?
It is never too late to go after your dream. As a result of that advice, I enrolled in law school 16 years after graduating from college. I was one of the older students in my law school class, competing with recent college graduates. It was the best advice I've ever received.
 
What are your favorite activities when you are not working?
Reading, playing Word with Friends and spending time with my (shih tzu) granddog, Taffy.
 
What is your favorite app and why?
My favorite app is the custom emoji app Bitmoji. I absolutely love how the Bitmojis resemble the people who send them. Very creative; and most times funny.