Education
B.S. 1990, Business Administration, University of Delaware
J.D. 1995, Widener University School of Law, Wilmington Campus
Employment Information
Child Advocate, Office of the Child Advocate. In this position I am statutorily charged with safeguarding the welfare of Delaware's children through public education, legislative advocacy, training, policy oversight and implementation, and legal representation of abused and/or neglected children.
Area of Practice Family Law. I became Delaware's first Child Advocate on February 7, 2000, and run Delaware's Office of the Child Advocate. Prior to this appointment, I was a Deputy Attorney General with the Department of Justice where I represented the Division of Family Services for three years and the Division of Child Support Enforcement for one year. I also participated in a one-year prosecutor's externship in Family Court. From 1990 to 1996, I was employed in the private sector of the legal field as a secretary, paralegal, law clerk and attorney.
Bar Admissions Delaware
What did you enjoy most about attending Widener University School of Law? Externships, ITAP, and the respect that night students were given regarding real life experience and other commitments such as family, jobs, etc.
Tania M. Culley at a Glance I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions and significant public service of all the Widener Law graduates who volunteer their time on behalf of the children of Delaware. The Office of the Child Advocate, and myself, are largely successful because of these hardworking, selfless, committed people.
Member of: The Family Law and Women and the Law sections of the Delaware State Bar Association, the Melson-Arsht Inn of Court and the Pro Bono Inn of Court. I have also presented at numerous seminars sponsored by the Delaware State Bar Association. I served on the Governor's Task Force on Foster Care, a special subcommittee to the Supreme Court Rules Committee, the General Assembly's Child Abuse Substantiation Work Group, the Community Notification Task Force, the Safe Arms for Babies Workgroup, the Foster Care Reform Forum and the Delaware State Bar Association's LIP Committee. I am also a Member of the Corporation of the Children's Advocacy Center. I am the Executive Director of the Child Protection Accountability Commission, a member of Delaware's Child Death, Near Death and Stillbirth Commission, and serve on the Executive Committee of the Child Death Commission and the Pro Bono Inn of Court. I am also a member of several national organizations including the National Association of Counsel for Children, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law.
Special distinctions or accomplishments: In December of 2000 I received the Recent Alumnae of the Year Award by Widener University School of Law and was featured in its Law Magazine and its Profiles in Success publication. In 2004, I was named as 2003 Outstanding Young Wilmingtonian by the Wilmington Jaycees. In December 2004, Widener University School of Law granted me the Liberty Award for Outstanding Citizenship. The Liberty Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment through service and dedication to their community, state and/or country.
Family Members: Husband, David Culley, Esq. is a partner at Tybout, Redfearn & Pell; and two daughters, Keira (7) and Emma (2).
Note: Alumni Spotlight is a quarterly feature on the Development and Alumni Relations website, highlighting a Widener University School of Law alumnus or alumna. If you know of someone who you think is worthy of recognition, please e-mail
law_alumni@mail.widener.edu.