Student Organizations
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)
The Guardian Ad Litem program pairs student volunteers with children whose custody has been stripped from their parents and been placed in the hands of the state’s Department of Social Services. As minors without legal personality, GALs are literally the “voice” of these children before the courts and advocate for their best interest. The time requirement is minimal: volunteers are asked to meet with the children approximately once a month to ascertain the wishes of the children and possibly other people in the child’s life on an as needed basis. Then, when the child’s case comes up before the court, GALs write a report (templates are provided!) and get to appear before the judge. In addition to fulfilling a crucial role in society and assisting those in need with an always rewarding relationship with a child, the GAL program is one of the most popular student organizations because law students get courtroom experience before they pass the bar!
