Pro Bono Attorneys

Attorneys in Florida have an excellent opportunity to further the legal profession's devotion to public service and the public good while becoming an advocate for a child in court. When you volunteer for us, you become a voice for a child and give back to the community.

Justice Peggy Ann Quince of the Florida Supreme Court, during her swearing-in ceremony for Chief Justice (2008–2010), asked attorneys in Florida to volunteer.

"We have hundreds of children who age out of foster care every year but are they really ready to take their place as good and productive citizens in the state of Florida," she asked. "I believe with our help, with the help of the lawyers of this state, we can make them those kind of citizens."

How You Can Help

There are three specific options for attorneys desiring to work with our program. Attorneys can:

  • represent the best interests of children as a guardian ad litem with support from a staff case coordinator and program attorney;
  • utilize their area of expertise to assist the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program in advocating for the child's needs as well as matters in probate, special education, guardianship, immigration, appeals and administrative law; or
  • represent the child in an attorney-client relationship as an attorney ad litem.

Brochure: Pro Bono Attorneys

How You Will Benefit

You will find volunteering with our program to be an extremely rewarding experience. For as few as four to six hours per month, you can truly make a difference in a child's life. Newer attorneys will also gain valuable experience by actively participating in and assisting with trials, appeals and other court hearings.

After providing guardian ad litem representation and completing the training requirement, volunteering attorneys may:

  • receive eight credit hours of continuing legal education (CLE), including one credit hour of legal ethics; and
  • fulfill the Florida Bar's pro bono public service requirement (Rule 4-6.1) of at least twenty pro bono hours reported annually.

Apply Now

Members in good standing with the Florida Bar, download and complete the application, sign it and send it to the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program by mail, fax or email. You will be contacted shortly to arrange a brief screening interview.

Pro Bono Attorneys Application

Answers to frequently asked questions are available below.

Words From a Colleague

"Prior to volunteering as a pro bono guardian ad litem attorney, my legal experience had been primarily confined to representing large corporations in complex business transactions. The prospect of having a real live human being for a client made me more than a little nervous and I wondered if I would actually be able to do anything helpful in this completely new area.

However, after being introduced to [the] child, who seemed nearly as nervous as I was, I quickly realized that there is much I can do for her. Whether it be visiting with her at her home to filing a motion request court approval so she can attend a church sponsored Christmas trip, being a volunteer guardian ad litem has been one of the most rewarding experience I have had in my twenty years of practicing law."

— Carol Lee Hinds, Esq. (2005)

Frequently Asked Questions

This list provides answers to frequently asked questions for attorneys considering volunteering for our program. You can find answers to additional, non-attorney specific questions on the main Frequently Asked Questions page.

  1. What support do pro bono attorney guardians ad litem receive? Up to Table of Contents

    As part of the guardian ad litem team, volunteer attorneys will receive support from staff case coordinators, program attorneys, program staff and the resources of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office.

    The case coordinator will work with you to develop recommendations, assist you in preparing reports to the court, provide information on community resources and advise you regarding the program's policies and procedures. The program attorney will be available to provide you with any legal guidance needed and will represent you at evidentiary hearings.

    The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office also maintains a number of useful resources on their website that we encourage you to utilize.

  1. How much time must pro bono attorney guardians ad litem commit? Up to Table of Contents

    While cases will vary in complexity, pro bono attorney guardians ad litem spend an average of four to six hours per month working on a case; additional time may be required for new volunteers. All time spent working on guardian ad litem cases may be reported to fulfill the Florida Bar's pro bono public service requirement (Rule 4-6.1).

  1. What are the duties and responsibilities of a pro bono attorney guardian ad litem? Up to Table of Contents

    The primary duties and responsibilities of pro bono attorney guardians ad litem are the same as those of non-attorney volunteers. Please refer to answer three on the main Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information.

  1. Are there any differences in client representation as a guardian ad litem? Up to Table of Contents

    There are two chief differences in how an attorney represents a child as a guardian ad litem versus how they would represent other clients. Attorneys do not owe a duty of confidentiality to the child and attorneys advocate for what they believe is in the child's best interests as opposed to what the child wants. Otherwise, attorneys are duty-bound to comply with the rules and regulations of the Florida Bar.

  1. Do pro bono attorney guardians ad litem need to have malpractice insurance? Up to Table of Contents

    No, pro bono attorneys are covered by the state for malpractice under the Florida Volunteer Protection Act, § 768.1355, Florida Statutes. To be covered under the statute, pro bono attorneys must act in good faith as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would and as such, an attorney's wanton or willful misconduct are not protected.