The Youth Law Center is a public interest law office whose primary activity has been the Juvenile Justice Legal Advocacy Project. The center has developed a specific procedure for investigating and negotiating juveniles justice problems which involves resolution through negotiation without resorting to litigation. Effective advocacy requires research of all applicable laws; meeting with court judges, government officials, and legal services attorneys; and on-site visits to facilities such as jails and detention centers. This project tries to confront problems: (1) affecting the greatest numbers of children; (2) involving the greatest mistreatment of children; (3) whose resolution will have impact beyond the specific problem; and (4) whose resolution can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time. A series of alternative solutions needs to be developed and advocates need to negotiate with public officials. Litigation should be used only as a last resort since it is often counterproductive. Litigation is the ultimate weapon but must be used sparingly to be effective. (ABL)