GUIDELINES
| TO: | Fourth Department Panel Attorneys For Children | |
| FROM: | Hon. Michael F. Griffith, Chair, Fourth Department Attorneys For Children Advisory Committee Hon. John F. O’Donnell, Guidelines Subcommittee Chairman |
|
| RE: | Guidelines For Attorneys For Children In The Fourth Department | |
| DATE: | November 6, 2008 |
Attached are Guidelines For Attorneys For Children In The Fourth Department. The Fourth Department Attorneys
For Children Advisory Committee (formerly known as the Departmental Advisory Committee of the Fourth Department
Law Guardian Program) drafted these Guidelines and they have been approved by the Appellate Division, Fourth
Department. The Guidelines are an update of Guidelines issued by the Advisory Committee in the 1980's and 1990's.
The Guidelines have been updated to reflect current practice in light of case law, statutory changes, Court
Rules and Appellate Division, Fourth Department policy.
The Guidelines contain recommended best practices
for all attorneys for children. They will not apply in all cases, e.g., where the timing of the proceeding makes
it impossible to comply with that part of the Guidelines pertaining to best practices prior to the initial appearance
of the attorney. The Guidelines will, however, be used as a basis for evaluation of the overall performance of attorneys
for children.or children.
As always, thank you for your dedication to the representation of children.