Law Students Create App to Help Parents Collect Child Support

Single parents struggling to collect child support just got a powerful new ally, thanks to three law students who turned their legal knowledge into practical technology.

FamilyShield, an app designed by Suffolk Law School students Akila Narayanan, Kaneza Kadambaya, and Alisson Abourjeili, won first place at Hofstra University's Legal Innovation Tournament in June 2026. The app combines tracking, document generation, and evidence collection into one simple platform.

The team identified a critical gap in the justice system. Middle-income parents often earn too much to qualify for free legal aid but can't afford the thousands of dollars private attorneys charge. FamilyShield gives these families tools to organize their cases independently.

The app does more than just track payments. When parents are ready to hire an attorney, FamilyShield connects them with vetted family law lawyers who receive an organized case file automatically. No confusing intake calls or starting from scratch.

New York State Bar Association President Taa Grays served as one of the judges for the competition, which drew 18 entries from 11 law schools across five states and Washington, D.C. She's made improving Family Court experiences a key priority during her term.

"Apps like FamilyShield are the kind of innovation that we need to help parents navigate a confusing Family Court system," Grays said. She praised the students for using their legal understanding, technical skills, and creativity to develop resources that make justice more accessible.

The tournament, now in its fifth year, brings law students together with computer science students and practicing attorneys. Their mission is to create apps that serve underrepresented communities and transform how people resolve disputes.

The Ripple Effect

FamilyShield could help thousands of families nationwide. Child support collection remains one of the most common Family Court issues, affecting parents who often navigate the system alone because they can't afford representation.

The winning team took home a $3,500 prize funded by the Commercial and Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution sections of the New York State Bar Association, along with Bond Schoeneck and King, the Center for Justice Innovation, the American Arbitration Association, and JAMS.

Mark Berman, who founded and co-chairs the National Legal Innovation Tournament, sees these projects as training grounds for the next generation of lawyers. "The tournament gives law students the opportunity to use their newly learned legal skills, when technology is applied, to help solve everyday problems for the ordinary citizen," he said.

When technology meets compassion, parents fighting for their children's support get the tools they deserve.