Supreme Court Approves VSB Request to Comment on Legislative Activity Regarding GAL Compensation
January 14, 2026
Ordered on January 14, 2026, the Supreme Court of Virginia approved Virginia State Bar’s petition to support an increase in compensation for guardians ad litem (GALs). The sought adjustment would improve the quality of the legal services made available to the people of Virginia and align the GAL in-court hourly rate with that of court-appointed counsel representing defendants in criminal matters and parents in certain child dependency cases.
Read the Court's Order.
VSB Seeks Comment on Legislative Activity
November 10, 2025
The Virginia State Bar (VSB) seeks public comment on proposed VSB engagement in legislative activity, pursuant to Section IV, Part 6, Paragraph 9(j) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, during the 2026 General Assembly Session.
The VSB seeks authorization, conditioned upon the approval of the Supreme Court of Virginia, to support an increase in compensation for guardians ad litem (GALs). The sought adjustment would improve the quality of the legal services made available to the people of Virginia and align the GAL in-court hourly rate with that of court-appointed counsel representing defendants in criminal matters and parents in certain child dependency cases.
GALs are appointed by a court to represent the best interests of children and incapacitated adults, providing independent recommendations to assist the court in reaching fair and balanced decisions.
The Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) of the Supreme Court of Virginia maintains the list of attorneys qualified for such appointments. According to OES data, the number of attorneys qualified to serve as guardians ad litem for children has declined by 31% since 2020.
Many GALs have opined that low compensation is a significant factor contributing to this decline. Additionally, the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman’s 2025 Annual Report recommends an increase in GAL compensation (pp. 38–39, available).
Comment
Any individual, business, or other entity may submit written comments in support of or in opposition to the proposed action to Cameron M. Rountree, executive director of the Virginia State Bar, by close of business on December 5, 2025. Comments may be submitted via email to [email protected].