Appellate Division, First Judicial Department

Address: 41 Madison Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 340-0597

Office Information

Contents

Overview

The Appellate Division, First Department is committed to maintaining the highest professional standards of attorneys who, through various publicly-funded programs within its jurisdiction, serve the State's most vulnerable populations – the indigent and the young.

Among the various court offices devoted to this purpose, the Office of Attorneys for Children (formerly the Law Guardian program) oversees the panel of attorneys that represent children and parents in family law proceedings in the Appellate, Supreme, Family and Criminal Courts. The Office develops and implements training programs for panel attorneys, is involved in planning and development of court initiatives, and oversees the payment of attorneys and experts working on behalf of children.

The Director of the Office of Attorneys for Children administers all Office programs. In addition, the Director serves on the Statewide Advisory Committee on Counsel for Children, which addresses issues involving the representation of children in the courts throughout the State.

The Office's Advisory Committee, appointed by the Presiding Justice, evaluates applications for appointment and re-certification of attorneys to the panel, reviews complaints, and addresses matters pertaining to the practice of representing children and parents. The Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Director and the Presiding Justice.

Attorneys interested in becoming a member of the Attorneys for Children Panel, should request an application via email to [email protected].

Panel Members Only Resources and Applications

• Administrative Handbook (PDF)
• Statutes & Court Rules (PDF)
• Mental Health Professionals Resource Directory (PDF)
• Vendor Self-Service Portal Guide (PDF)
• Application for Felony Panel Members Seeking Limited Membership on the Family Court Panel (PDF)
• Application for Recertification (PDF)
• Attorney for the Child Voucher (PDF)
• Weekend Holiday Intake Voucher (PDF)
• Assigned Counsel Voucher Judiciary Law § 35 (8) (PDF)
• State of New York Standard Voucher (PDF)
• Voucher for Court Reporter Services Rendered (PDF)
• Voucher for Assigned Counsel, Psychiatrist or Physician (PDF)
• 18-B or Poor Person Request Transcripts (PDF)
• Attorney for Child Request Transcripts (PDF)
• Affirmation of Services for Privately Paid Attorneys for Children (PDF)
• Sample Court Order Appointing Privately Paid Attorney for the Child(ren) (PDF)
• Sample Order Authorizing Services other than Counsel Services (PDF)
• Sample Court Order Appointing Mental Health Professional (PDF)
• Sample Court Order for Observation and Evaluation (PDF)
• Substitute Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number & Certification (PDF)
• Attorney’s Certification of Appellant’s Continued Eligibility for Poor Person’s Relief and Assignment of Counsel (PDF)
• Sample Family Court Notices of Appeal (PDF)
• Vendor Request Form (PDF)