LAW OFFICE OF ERNEST ANEMONE, LLC
Ernest is a court-appointed Law Guardian for children involved with DCP&P (the Division of Child Protection & Permanency, formerly DYFS).We do not accept private cases at this time.If you are a current client, caregiver, or service provider, you can reach Ernest by phone at (347) 644-7340.NJ Attorney ID: 043972005
"Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone."-Fred Rogers
About Ernest
Ernest Anemone has been admitted to the New Jersey and New York bars since 2006, and to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He currently serves as pool counsel to the New Jersey Office of the Law Guardian, representing children in Title 9 abuse-and-neglect and Title 30 guardianship and termination-of-parental-rights litigation.Ernest practices under the expressed-interest model of representation — ensuring children have not just a voice in court, but real agency over where and how they live.He earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and his B.S. in Administration of Justice from Rutgers University. Earlier in his career, he owned and managed his own trial and appellate litigation practice in Red Bank, NJ, handling OLG conflict assignments alongside a broader civil and criminal caseload, and later supervised child-client-contact protocols at the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Boston while conducting graduate research on child development and education at Harvard.He is a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children and a member of the Court's Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Committee.
What a Law Guardian Does
A Law Guardian is an attorney appointed by the court to represent a child's wishes and best interests in DCP&P matters. That includes attending court hearings, meeting with the child, coordinating with caseworkers and service providers, and advocating for outcomes that serve the child throughout the case.
Practice Scope
Ernest is appointed through the courts to represent children and act as their Law Guardian in Title 9 Abuse & Neglect cases (FN) and Title 30 guardianship cases (FG).He does not accept privately retained cases at this time.
Resources for Caregivers & Service Providers
PerformCare-New Jersey's System of Care:
1-877-652-7624 or https://www.performcarenj.org/NJHopeline:
1-855-654-6735 or https://njhopeline.com/2nd Floor Hotline for Youth ages 10-24:
1-888-222-2228 or https://www.2ndfloor.org/Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Text 9-8-8Psychiatric Emergency Screening Service in Monmouth County:
732-923-6999In case of emergency, please call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from caregivers, resource parents, and service providers connected to a case where Ernest has been appointed.
What should I have ready when I reach out?
Please have the child's name and, if known, the docket or case number. This helps Ernest locate the file quickly and respond to your question.
How quickly will Ernest respond?
Ernest responds to caregivers and service providers as promptly as his court schedule allows. For urgent, safety-related matters, please also contact DCP&P or the assigned caseworker directly.
Can Ernest give me legal advice about my own case?
No. As Law Guardian, Ernest represents the child in the case, not caregivers, resource parents, or service providers, and cannot give legal advice to other parties in the matter.
Get in Touch
This form is not encrypted and should not be used to send confidential or case-specific information — please don't include a child's name, docket number, or details about your matter here. For anything related to an active case, call or email directly.Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.