Contract

What is a contract GAL?

Because the Office of Public Advocacy has staff GALs in only four locations in the state, the agency retains contractors to provide local representation for children and adults in other areas of the state. In addition, staff GALs in regional offices at times have legal conflicts and a GAL outside of the office is required to provide conflict free representation. Contract GALs are paid by OPA as part of a pre-arranged contract or, in some areas, on a case-by-case basis (sometimes called "court-appointed" work). All contractors are screened, retained, and trained by OPA before being assigned cases. Contractors are not employees of the agency, are not supervised by OPA staff, and are not provided benefits or office space. OPA does provide oversight, provide legal advice and representation if needed, and receive and respond to complaints about contractors.

If you need to get a hold of a contract Guardian ad Litem, please refer to your court documentation.

Qualifications

Child in Need of Aid Rule 11

Guidelines

While contractors are not OPA employees they are required to follow the guidelines set out by the agency. Contractor guidelines for contact with children are different than those of staff GALs to reflect the time, difficulty, and expense involved in traveling in rural areas of the state. Guidelines (pdf)