by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The law firms of Foley & Lardner and Holland & Knight hosted a gathering of attorneys Thursday night to present information on the Guardian ad Litem program.
About 70 attorneys attended the cocktail reception at the Downtown offices of Holland & Knight in the Bank of America Tower, where they were given information on the advocate program from John Wagener, president of the board of Voices for Children of the First Coast. Hilary Creary supervising attorney for the Fourth Judicial District Guardian ad Litem program and Diana Johnson, an attorney with the district Guardian ad Litem program.
“Everyone knows about the budget problems in Tallahassee right now,” said Sue Weber, circuit director for the Fourth Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem program. “We are a part of that turmoil as we wait to see what our budget will look like, so we can always use volunteers.”
The most important group the Guardian ad Litem program looks to serve is teenagers who are aging out of the foster care system who may not know basic information on living an adult life, such as understanding an apartment lease or knowing how to get utilities or a telephone turned on. This type of mentoring is needed along with representation of a child in court.
Some of the benefits of participation include earning CLE credits and fulfilling pro bono requirements.
For more information contact the Guardian ad Litem office at 630-1200 or go to its Web site, www.gal.fl.gov.
356-2466