Advisory Opinion: 1430

Year Issued: 1991

RPC(s):

Subject: Guardian ad litem; applicability of Rules of Professional Conduct

The Committee reviewed your inquiry regarding the role of a guardian ad litem in a domestic case. The Committee was of the opinion that a guardian ad litem does not serve as "attorney for the child" but rather is appointed to investigate and advise the court as to the child's best interest. An attorney in the role of guardian ad litem is bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct which, in its Preliminary Statement, provides that "the rules should be uniformly applied to all lawyers, regardless of the nature of their professional activities."

Advisory Opinions are provided for the education of the Bar and reflect the opinion of the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) or its predecessors. Advisory Opinions are provided pursuant to the authorization granted by the Board of Governors, but are not individually approved by the Board and do not reflect the official position of the Bar association. Laws other than the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct may apply to the inquiry. The Committee's answer does not include or opine about any other applicable law other than the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct.