AdAYintHeLifeofAguArdiAnAdLitem APPeLLAteAttorneY
Government lawyers Section
Representing Florida ’ s Abused , Neglected , and Abandoned Children in Court and the Community .
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team works remotely , collaborating weekly via Zoom . Although based in Tampa , I handle appeals and trial support for Circuits 4 , 16 , and 17 ( in other words , the Jacksonville metropolitan area , the Florida Keys , and Broward County ). I manage around 25-40 cases , all at varying stages after a notice of appeal has been filed . Each day begins with checking to see what briefs or motions were filed in the middle of the night , and I maintain that surveillance throughout the day . I communicate with my assigned trial teams as they frequently ask me to provide input on whether GAL should be an appellant in any matter or whether to proceed with certain non-final order issues in certiorari . The vast majority of my work involves responding as appellee in appeals of termination of parental rights ( TPR ) final judgments and , to a lesser extent , challenges to a child ’ s dependency adjudication .
There are many cooks in the kitchen in these cases — the GAL , counsel for each parent , the case manager , the child protective investigator , counsel for the Department of Children and Families , and sometimes an attorney ad litem for the child .
The complexity and nuanced issues presented in each case require significant mental gymnastics to effectively advocate for the child in each answer brief . Chapter 39 is ever changing , and my colleagues and I have frequent conversations about the law .
It ' s true what they say — when you love what you do , what you do doesn ’ t feel like work . Appellate work is thought provoking and fulfilling . If you would like to be a GAL pro bono appellate attorney , you can ! The Defending Best Interests Project protects the best interests of children in the appeal process . The project works with partners , including the Pro Bono Committee of The Florida Bar ’ s Appellate Practice Section ( APS ), to recruit pro bono attorneys who write answer briefs in appeals of cases where a judge has determined TPR is in the child ’ s best interests . Contact me if inquiring minds would like to know more ! n
Author : Krystle Cacci – Statewide Guadian ad Litem Office
S E P - O C T 2 0 2 3 | H C B A L A W Y E R
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