SCR 35.015

For

guardian ad litem appointment orders issued after January 1, 2021, a lawyer

may not accept an appointment by a court as a guardian ad litem for a minor

in an action or proceeding under chapter 767 of the statutes unless one or more

of the following conditions has been met:

(1) For a lawyer’s first appointment commencing on or after January 1,

2021, the lawyer has attended at least 9 hours of guardian ad litem education

approved under SCR 35.03 during the combined current reporting period

specified in SCR 31.01(7) and the immediately preceding reporting period.

The 9 hours shall be allocated as follows:

(a) At least 3 of the 9 hours shall be approved education addressing the

topic of family violence.

(b) In addition to the requirement of (1)(a), at least 3 of the 9 hours shall

be approved education on any topic identified in SCR 35.03(1m)(a).

(c) The remaining 3 hours may be any type of approved "guardian ad

litem" or "family court guardian ad litem" education.

(1m) After a lawyer has satisfied the initial 9 credit threshold in

35.015(1) and for any subsequent appointments, the lawyer has attended at

least 6 hours of guardian ad litem education approved under SCR 35.03 during

the combined current reporting period specified in SCR 31.01(7) and the

immediately preceding reporting period. The 6 hours shall be allocated as

follows:

(a) At least one of the 6 hours shall be approved education on the topic

of family violence.

(b) In addition to the requirement of SCR 35.015(1m)(a), at least 2 more

of the required 6 hours shall be approved education on any of the topics

identified in SCR 35.03(1m)(a).

(c) The remaining hours can be any type of approved "guardian ad

litem" or "family court guardian ad litem" education.

(2) The appointing court has made a finding in writing or on the record

that the action or proceeding presents exceptional or unusual circumstances

for which the lawyer is otherwise qualified by experience or expertise to

represent the best interests of the minor.