COMMUNITY best interests .
In the Superior Court , GALs are often in private practice and their fees are paid by the parties as directed by the Court . Judicial circuits across the state have their own procedures for appointing GALs and have varying approaches on what to do when the parties cannot afford to pay a GAL for their time .
In Fulton County , this is where Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation ( AVLF ) steps in . When the family involved cannot afford a GAL , the judges of the Fulton County Superior Court Family Division bench can appoint a pro bono GAL who is trained and supported by AVLF to investigate and make a recommendation as to the best interests of the children .
GALs are vital in many custody cases . Unlike the judge , the GAL can go out into the community , see where the child lives , build rapport with the child , and interview the parents , teachers , family , and other important professionals and acquaintances in the child ’ s life . The GAL then provides a report to the parties and the judge about the findings of their investigation and makes a recommendation about custody and parenting time , based on the best interest of child standard found in O . C . G . A . § 19-9-3 .
In 1990 , Judge Joel Fryer appointed Debbie Segal , AVLF ’ s then Executive Director , to serve as a GAL in a complex contested custody case pending in his court . After this case concluded , Segal , who had had no prior training or experience as a GAL , saw a need for training for future GAL appointments . She proposed to the Fulton County Superior Court that AVLF create a program to train and facilitate the appointment of pro bono GALs for the Court . The Court approved the idea and agreed to support it . Segal then approached Debby Ebel and the law firm of Long Aldridge & Norman , now Dentons , who joined in and made the GAL Program the firm ’ s signature pro bono project . Since the program launched , rules , guidelines and programs have been created across the state to provide for children to have a voice in custody battles .
Currently , we offer training to become a Guardian ad Litem twice per year , in the fall and the spring . Our training boasts a roster of top-notch guardians ad litem from across the city who share their expertise with our attendees in a multi-day , interactive training session .
GAL volunteer opportunities with AVLF are open to all attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia2 , who have completed our training . You do not have to be a family law attorney or a litigator . We will teach you what you need to know !
If you are interested in serving as a GAL for Fulton County Superior Court custody cases , please reach out to our Volunteer Engagement Manager , Lilli Crowe , at lcrowe @ avlf . org . She will contact you when registration opens for our May 2022 training .
____________________________________________________
1GALs fill similar , but different roles in different courts . For example , GALs also play a vital role in the Juvenile Courts . This article will focus on the role of the Superior Court GAL , which is the type of GAL for which AVLF provides training , support , and pro bono opportunities . 2Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.9 does not require that a Guardian ad Litem be an attorney . This is a requirement specific to our program . While our training is open to all , regardless of whether you are a lawyer and regardless of your standing with the bar , these are requirements for volunteering as a GAL with AVLF .
Segal shares , “ My first case was absolutely terrifying . There were no rules or guidelines and Judge Fryer just told me to figure it out and do what I thought was best . And I had these children ’ s lives in my hands . So now it is amazing that over 30 years have passed and what was so unique – for children to have an independent voice and their own advocate – is so matter of fact now .”
Over the past 31 years , we have continued to grow this partnership with Fulton County Superior Court to best serve the court , the litigants , and of course our volunteers . AVLF ’ s partnerships with the courts , bar associations , firms , and attorneys are the recipe for our program ’ s success . Without these partnerships , we could not provide this vital service . www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 29