Pro Bono Attorney
Licensed Florida attorneys are often needed to champion abused, neglected and abandoned children who are facing life on their own after age 18, or facing special legal situations.
Benefits to Pro Bono Attorneys helping children are many!
- 8 hours of CLE credit and 1 hour of ethics after completing online training provided by the Program
- Fulfilling Florida Bar Pro Bono requirement
- Valuable court and trial experience
- Ensuring a child’s future, in only 8-10 hours monthly
Three Ways to Help
Any licensed Florida attorney can volunteer as:
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Attorney Guardian ad Litem (Attorney-GAL)
Pro bono attorney provides both personal and legal advocacy, supported by Program staff. No attorney-client relationship—the Attorney Guardian ad Litem advocates for the child’s best interest as the Programs’ certified representative. Online training (8-hours) is provided.
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Attorney ad Litem (AAL)
Pro bono attorney is directly appointed by the Court to represent children in a traditional attorney-client relationship, representing the child. Attorneys with specific areas of expertise are often needed to provide specific legal advocacy for a child.
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Conflict Guardian ad Litem (Independent GAL)
Court appoints a volunteer attorney where the Guardian ad Litem Program has a conflict in accepting the appointment, to be the Guardian ad Litem representing the child’s best interest.
Attorney Guardian ad Litem
Teens, soon to be on their own after age 18, and needing advocacy to ensure they’re ready, are being helped every day through the Fostering Independence Program. Attorney Guardians ad Litem are primarily assigned to teens to provide both personal and legal advocacy.
The Pro Bono Attorney completes an online application, interviews initially, then completes an 8-hour online training on his/her own schedule. Upon completion of training, verification of good standing with the Florida Bar, and a reference/background check, the Program’s Pro Bono Coordinator will meet with the new Pro Bono Attorney to answer questions, and ensure understanding of Dependency Proceedings.
Program Support
Attorney Guardians ad Litem are supported by a staff Program attorney who is available to provide guidance on legal issues, and review and sign pleadings before filing, and provide support at hearings, if requested.
Attorney Guardians ad Litem are able to appear in court on their own behalf as the child’s Guardian ad Litem. A monthly visit to the child is required, as well as Guardian ad Litem Court Reports prior to Judicial Reviews and Dispositional Hearings, and complying with all local and statewide Guardian ad Litem Program Standards of Operation. Additional support is also provided by other Program staff in navigating child welfare and community systems to advocate for the child—the same as all Guardian ad Litem volunteers.
No attorney-client relationship exists with the Attorney Guardian ad Litem and the child.
Attorney ad Litem (AAL)
The Court directly appoints the Attorney ad Litem to be an attorney for a dependent child.
With a traditional attorney-client relationship with the child, the AAL is not under the supervision of the Program, or supported by the Program.
The AAL represents the child’s direct and express wishes so long as the child is of an age where he/she is able to express a preference. If the child is not old enough to express preferences, then the AAL must use substituted judgment for the child.
Attorneys ad Litem are typically used in the following situations, including, but not limited to:
conflicts with the Guardian ad Litem Program, educational issues, immigration matters, name change, torts, guardianships, criminal and juvenile cases, administrative proceedings, financial issues including Master Trust issues, and in-patient psychiatric treatment.
Florida attorneys with these special areas of expertise can be helpful to children.
Conflict Guardian ad Litem
(Independent Guardian ad Litem)
The attorney is directly appointed by the Court as the Guardian ad Litem to represent the child’s best interests because the GAL Program is conflicted from accepting the appointment. No attorney-client relationship exists with the child or requirement for Guardian ad Litem Program certification—although certification is strongly recommended.
Example
If a minor parents another child while in custody of the State, the Guardian ad Litem Program can not represent both minor parent and child. The GAL Program would seek a pro bono attorney to represent the infant.
The Guardian ad Litem Program Attorney typically seeks both an Attorney ad Litem (AAL) and Conflict Guardian ad Litem and submits the motion and order for the direct appointment to the court. Your application helps the Guardian ad Litem Program select the right attorney for a child in need!
