Guardian ad Litem Office - Circuit Seventeen

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Guardian ad Litem Office - Circuit Seventeen Representing Broward County’s abused, neglected and abandoned children. Representing Broward County’s abused, neglected, and abandoned children.

11/01/2026

Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and spooktacular Halloween filled with treats, smiles, and special memories! 🧡

11/01/2026

Celebrating Foster Youth Voice Month: Meet (the rest of) Our CHAMPIONS Leadership Team!

October is Foster Youth Voice Month, a time to recognize the importance of listening to and learning from young people who have experienced foster care.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office's CHAMPIONS Advisory Council brings together young adults whose experiences and perspectives help inform conversations about Florida's child welfare system and improving outcomes for children.

We've recently introduced our new Chair and Vice-Chair, and today we're excited to recognize four additional members of the CHAMPIONS leadership team!

⭐ Derrick Perez – Passionate about supporting children in foster care, Derrick draws from his own experiences to offer encouragement and guidance. A talented filmmaker from Tampa, he is committed to helping young people overcome challenges and build brighter futures.

⭐ Angiie Dawkins – A proud mother pursuing a degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology, Angiie is passionate about using her experiences to support and encourage children in foster care.

⭐ Abigail Herrin – An Independent Living Navigator pursuing a degree in Business and Organizational Management, Abigail is committed to helping young people in foster care access resources and build successful futures.

⭐ Ethan DuRoss – The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office's Young Adult Coordinator, Ethan is pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He is passionate about supporting young people in foster care and using his experiences to inspire positive change.

We are grateful for the leadership, insight, and commitment these CHAMPIONS bring to the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office and the children we represent.

Learn more at www.guardianadlitem.org.

11/01/2026

It's National Celebration of Pro Bono Week!

This week, the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office is proud to recognize dedicated pro bono attorneys like Evan Morning, who generously give their time to help represent, advocate for, and support children who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Evan began his service while still in law school, joining the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office in 2024 as a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer. After being admitted to The Florida Bar in 2025, he continued his dedication to Florida's children as a pro bono attorney.

Assigned to three siblings, Evan has dedicated more than 70 hours to advocating for and supporting the children. From coordinating sibling visits and helping them celebrate their brother's graduation together to working alongside the team toward permanency for one of the siblings, Evan has made a lasting difference in their lives.

As the two older brothers enter adulthood, Evan continues to serve as a mentor, helping them develop important life skills such as budgeting and planning for independence. One of the siblings, who is now excelling academically, continues to stay in touch with Evan.

Thank you, Evan Morning, for your commitment to Florida's children and your continued service as a pro bono attorney! We also extend our appreciation to all pro bono attorneys who generously share their time, talents, and expertise to make a difference in the lives of children.

To learn how you can make a difference, visit www.guardianadlitem.org.

11/01/2026

🎉 It’s National Celebration of Pro Bono Week! 🎉

This week, we proudly recognize the many attorneys who dedicate their time and expertise to help and protect those in need, assisting them in finding better outcomes. Across Florida, many attorneys join our Office to represent, serve, and support children who have been victims of abuse, abandonment, or neglect—attorneys like Allison.

Allison, who practiced dependency law priorly, has shown exceptional commitment to children by serving in two distinct volunteer roles: as a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer in Circuit Seven and through our Defending Best Interests (DBI) initiative, assisting children during both the trial and appeals process.

In one recent case, Allison supported a teenage girl and worked to build a constructive relationship with the child’s mother as she completed the steps necessary for reunification. Her consistent encouragement and support helped both mother and daughter navigate the dependency process as they worked toward being reunited. The mother and daughter were successfully reunified.

Allison has volunteered with DBI since 2021, preparing brief answers in appeals where a judge has determined that termination of parental rights is in a child’s best interests and providing critical appellate advocacy on behalf of children’s legal interests. She has donated over 230 hours of pro bono legal service, preparing briefs in 21 appellate cases involving 25 children, helping them move closer to permanency in safe and stable homes. One of Allison’s cases resulted in a published appellate opinion that now serves as guidance in future dependency cases across Florida. Allison has become one of the Office’s most reliable DBI volunteers, consistently providing thoughtful, high-quality appellate advocacy.

Through both her trial-level volunteer service and appellate advocacy, Allison has demonstrated an extraordinary willingness to give her time and legal skills to children at multiple stages of the dependency process.

To learn how you can make a difference, visit www.guardianadlitem.org.

10/29/2026

It's National Celebration of Pro Bono week, and the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office is proud to recognize the dedicated pro bono attorneys who generously give their time, talents, and legal expertise to make a difference for Florida's children.

Today, we're shining the spotlight on Pro Bono Hero for Kids Morgan Theodore!

Morgan is one of our wonderful Defending Best Interests (DBI) pro bono attorneys. These attorneys work with our appellate team to write answer briefs and represent children during the appeals process using the best interests standard of decision-making. With the full support of the Office, they meticulously review records and craft briefs that tell each child's story, protect their legal rights, and help overcome obstacles to permanency.

Morgan joined DBI in 2023 and consistently accepts cases from the Office. She has donated more than 40 hours of legal services, preparing briefs in nine appellate cases involving 13 children. Her work has provided important legal advocacy for children during a critical stage of their dependency cases. She makes giving back to children in her community who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect a priority.

Thank you, Morgan, for giving your time and legal skills to Florida's children! We are grateful for you and the many pro bono attorneys across the state who generously give their time to children represented by our Office.

Are you an attorney interested in making a difference? Become a Pro Bono Hero for Kids!

Learn more at www.guardianadlitem.org.

10/29/2026

🎉 Celebrating Our Pro Bono Heroes for Kids! 🎉

It's National Celebration of Pro Bono Week, and the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office is proud to recognize the dedicated pro bono attorneys who generously give their time, talents, and legal expertise to make a difference for Florida's children.

Today, we're shining the spotlight on Pro Bono Hero for Kids Elizabeth Berkowitz!

Since joining the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office as a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer in December 2012, Elizabeth has dedicated more than 220 hours to advocating for and helping represent the legal interests of 16 children who are victims of abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

In 2025, Elizabeth took on a particularly challenging case, demonstrating extraordinary dedication to a child navigating multiple placements. She has devoted more than 45 hours and traveled over 450 miles to support the child throughout the case.

Working alongside a Guardian ad Litem Attorney, Elizabeth advocated for educational stability, expanded family visitation, and meaningful family therapy to strengthen the child's relationship with her mother. Her commitment continued through the child's reunification with her family.

Elizabeth's dedication demonstrates the lasting impact one pro bono attorney can make in a child's life!

💙 Thank you, Elizabeth, for your compassion, commitment, and service to Florida's children! We are grateful for you and the many pro bono attorneys across the state who generously give their time to children represented by our Office.

Are you an attorney interested in making a difference? Become a Pro Bono Hero for Kids!

Learn more at www.guardianadlitem.org.

10/26/2026

⚖️ Celebrating Our Pro Bono Heroes for Kids!

It's National Celebration of Pro Bono Week, and the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office is proud to recognize the dedicated pro bono attorneys who generously volunteer their time, talents, and legal expertise with our Office to make a difference for Florida's children.

Across the state, our pro bono attorneys serve in a variety of meaningful roles — as Guardian ad Litem Volunteers, mentors to teens, and legal professionals working alongside our multidisciplinary teams on dependency, trial, and appellate cases.

Whether in the courtroom or in the community, their commitment makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children who are victims of abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

This week, we're shining the spotlight on four exceptional Pro Bono Heroes for Kids! Each day, we'll introduce you to a pro bono attorney whose dedication and service are making a difference for children represented by the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office.

Are you an attorney looking for a meaningful way to give back? Put your legal skills and experience to work for Florida's children. Become a Pro Bono Hero for Kids and make a difference that extends far beyond the courtroom!

Learn more at www.guardianadlitem.org.

10/21/2026

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office's work representing the legal interests of children doesn't end when a case is appealed.

Through our Defending Best Interests initiative, pro bono attorneys play an important role in helping protect the legal interests of Florida's abused, abandoned, and neglected children throughout the appellate process.

Become a pro bono attorney with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office and make a difference in the lives of children!

Learn more at www.GuardianadLitem.org.

10/20/2026

Domestic violence can affect anyone, but with the right support, encouragement, and resources, healing and new beginnings are possible. 💜

Earlier this year, a toddler entered the child welfare system after his mother faced challenges involving substance abuse and domestic violence. Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Carolyn Burgess was assigned to his case as part of the Guardian ad Litem team representing his legal interests. From the beginning, the team focused on the child's safety and well-being while recognizing the importance of supporting his mother's efforts toward reunification.

Carolyn connected with the child's mother, maintained open communication, offered encouragement, and celebrated each step of her progress. In return, the mother regularly shared updates about the resources she was accessing and the steps she was taking to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home for her son.

Just a few months later, mother and son were successfully reunified. Carolyn continues to be a source of encouragement and support as they move forward together. Today, both are thriving, demonstrating the difference that compassion, perseverance, and access to resources can make for families.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. You can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. Learn how to get involved with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office at www.guardianadlitem.org.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119 or visit www.myflfamilies.com for additional resources. 💜

10/15/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence can have a lasting impact on children, affecting their emotional well-being and sense of safety. Helping them heal is an important step toward a brighter future.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office represents the legal interests of these children in court and in the community, advocating for their safety, well-being and permanency. Our team, including Guardian ad Litem Volunteers and mentors, plays an important role in supporting these children and making a meaningful difference in their lives.

Join us in making a difference! Learn more about becoming a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer at www.guardianadlitem.org

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119 for resources and support. 💜

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612 S Andrews Avenue, Ste 1000
Fort Lauderdale, FL
33301

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Wednesday 8am - 5pm
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