Racine Guardians ad Litem

The Racine County Circuit Court judges and Family Court Commissioner are inviting interested attorneys to apply to be on a Guardian ad Litem list.  There are 5 contracted Guardians ad Litem and in lieu of appointing a 6th position at this time, a list of qualified and approved attorneys will be submitted for a rotation of appointments to cases.  This is similar to the practice for Court Appointed Attorneys in Racine County and to appointment of Guardians ad Litem in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. 
 
Criteria will be based upon the attorneys’ experience and knowledge of family, paternity, juvenile, mental commitment, protective placement and probate law, a proven record of high quality work and reliability.  Applicants must satisfy the continuing legal education requirements set forth in Supreme Court Rule Chapters 35 and 36 to be eligible. Spanish-speaking attorneys are encouraged to apply to be on the list. 
 
Attorneys will be selected for assignment commencing January 1, 2017.  All guardians ad litem serve at the pleasure of the Racine County Circuit Court judges and the appointment can be terminated at any time, for any reason, by decision of the Racine County Circuit Court judges.
 
Juvenile, family, child support and probate court will assign cases on a rotation basis with one sixth of the cases being assigned to those attorneys placed on this list.  Exceptions may be made because of conflicts of interest or prior involvement in a case. 
 
Guardians ad Litem on this list will be paid at the rate $70.00 an hour and will have to submit monthly billing reports to the county.  Attorneys acting as guardians ad litem would not be prohibited from practicing law in any of the courts in which they may serve as guardian ad litem.
 
The appointments will be on a case by case basis.  The guardians ad litem appointed are independent contractors and will not be considered Racine County employees for any purpose and will not receive any Racine County employee benefits.  Training, travel expenses for training and legal materials are not provided or reimbursed by Racine County.
 
If you are interested in being appointed as a guardian ad litem, please submit your resume and cover letter setting forth your experience in the courts in acting in such a capacity, identifying the education attended under Supreme Court Rule Chs. 35/36 to be eligible for appointment, and explaining your availability to appear at court proceedings, including with judges and commissioners, to:
 
Anisa M. Dunn
Family Court Commissioner
730 Wisconsin Avenue
5th Floor
Racine, WI 53403
 
This rotation scheme will be in effect until the next Judge’s meeting on January 31st, 2017 at which time the Judges will decide to continue or appoint a permanent GAL.