Court Issues Order on Attorney Standards for Child Representation

February 7, 2011

The State Bar of Arizona wants to alert members that the Arizona Supreme Court has adopted Administrative Order No. 2011-16, dealing with Duties and Responsibilities of Appointed Counsel and Guardians Ad Litem. The Order became effective February 1, 2011, and is applicable to all appointed counsel and guardians ad litem on and after the effective date.

The Court further ordered:

that any attorney currently appointed to represent a child in any dependency matter in the State is exempt from the introductory six (6) hours of court approved training.  All attorneys handling dependency matters, including those currently assigned cases, shall comply with the continuing training requirements outlined in the Duties and Responsibilities of Appointed Counsel and Guardians Ad Litem.

Read the entire Order as well as Duties and Responsibilities of Appointed Counsel and Guardians Ad Litem on the Court's website.