Court-Appointed Counsel for Parents and Guardians

  • The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia maintains a list of attorneys admitted to practice law in Virginia who satisfy the Standards for the Qualification of Attorneys Appointed Pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-266 to Represent Parents and Guardians in Child Dependency Cases adopted by the Judicial Council of Virginia pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-266.1. This list of attorneys who are qualified to serve as Court-Appointed Counsel for Parents and Guardians is made available online and is also distributed electronically to the juvenile and domestic relations districts courts.

    Virginia Code § 16.1-266.1 provides that a child dependency case includes cases before the juvenile and domestic relations district courts, and the circuit courts on appeal, involving a child who is:

    • alleged to be abused or neglected
    • alleged to be at risk of being abused or neglected by a parent or custodian who has been adjudicated as having abused or neglected another child in his care
    • the subject of a petition for approval of an entrustment agreement
    • the subject of a petition for relief of custody
    • placed in foster care and is the subject of a foster care or permanency plan
    • the subject of a petition for termination of residual parental rights

  • Log-in to the Virginia State Bar’s Member’s Area to access the Guardian Ad Litem and Dependency Representation Information System for purposes of checking your guardian ad litem qualification status and continuing education history, certifying attendance at approved continuing education courses, and updating your contact information made available on the list of qualified guardians ad litem. (Note: Google Chrome is recommended when accessing the Guardian Ad Litem and Dependency Representation Information System). For instructions on its use, please access the GALDRIS Quick Guide.