Guardian Ad Litem Resume Guide

Guardians ad litem are appointed by courts to represent the best interests of children in legal proceedings. They investigate the child’s situation and make recommendations to the court about what is in the child’s best interests.

You have the passion and skillset to be a great guardian ad litem, but potential employers don’t know who you are. To make them aware of your capabilities, you’ll need to write a resume that stands out from the rest.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

Guardian Ad Litem Resume

Table of Contents

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Guardian Ad Litem Resume Sample

George Hyatt
Guardian Ad Litem

[email protected]
499-460-2636
linkedin.com/in/george-hyatt

Summary

Driven and experienced guardian ad litem (GAL) with a strong passion for advocating on behalf of abused and neglected children. Achieved positive outcomes in 80% of the cases, including reunification, placement stability, and improved family functioning. Recognized by the state bar association as a top-performing GAL in 2020.

Experience

Guardian Ad Litem, Company ABC
Eugene, Jan 2018 – Present

  • Reorganized guardian ad litem program to reduce caseloads by 20% and increase efficiency by 30%.
  • Accurately completed over 500 reports on cases involving neglect, abuse, custody disputes and other family law matters.
  • Streamlined communication between court personnel, attorneys, social workers and other involved parties to expedite resolution of cases.
  • Reported findings and recommendations to the court in a clear and concise manner, leading to favorable outcomes in 75% of all cases assessed.
  • Assessed individual needs of each child represented and advocated for their best interests throughout the legal process.

Guardian Ad Litem, Company XYZ
Honolulu, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

  • Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills when communicating with parents, children and other parties involved in cases; was able to effectively defuse hostile situations and build rapport.
  • Facilitated communication between parties during mediation sessions and court proceedings; helped them understand each other’s positions better and reach an amicable resolution in 80% of cases.
  • Appointed by the court to act as a guardian ad litem in 100+ family law cases involving custody disputes, domestic violence, abuse/neglect allegations and parental rights termination; represented the best interests of children aged 0-18.
  • Structured visitation schedules, monitored compliance with restraining orders/protection plans, conducted home visits & interviews with families to gather evidence & information for reports submitted to the court.
  • Thoroughly researched each case assigned, keeping up-to-date on relevant laws/policies governing child welfare & protection; provided accurate recommendations based on findings which resulted in positive outcomes for 90% of children under guardianship.

Skills

  • Child Advocacy
  • Courtroom Experience
  • Ability To Work With Children
  • Ability To Work With Families
  • Ability To Work With Attorneys
  • Ability To Work With The Court System
  • Ability To Work Independently
  • Organizational Skills
  • Time Management Skills

Education

Juris Doctor
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist
National Association of Counsel for Children
May 2017

1. Summary / Objective

A resume summary or objective is a brief statement at the beginning of your resume that tells the hiring manager who you are and what kind of work you excel at.

For a guardian ad litem, this could include mentioning your experience working with children in the foster care system, your advocacy for their best interests, and how you have helped them obtain important resources like housing and medical care.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Dependable and detail-oriented professional with 4 years of experience as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. Seeking to leverage analytical skills, child development knowledge, and courtroom testimony experience to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth as a guardian ad litem at ABC Child Welfare Services.

Determined guardian ad litem with 8+ years of experience advocating for the best interests of children in family law cases. Represented over 500 children in court, as well as countless more through mediation and collaboration. Experienced in managing a high caseload while providing individualized attention to each child’s needs. Recognized by the Superior Court judges for excellence in guardian ad litem work with a 99% success rate in achieving client objectives.

Well-rounded trial attorney with extensive experience working as a guardian ad litem in family law proceedings. Able to provide zealous advocacy while maintaining the highest ethical standards. 10+ years of experience evaluating evidence, researching the law, and preparing legal documents. Seeking to join ABC Family Law firm to continue providing high-quality services to clients going through difficult times.

Amicable and hard-working guardian ad litem with experience in family law, child advocacy, and social work. Skilled at building relationships with clients, attorneys, and opposing counsel to promote the best interests of children in custody cases. Received “Outstanding Advocate” award from the local legal aid society for dedication to protecting the rights of children.

Skilled guardian ad litem with 5+ years of experience advocating for the best interests of abused, neglected, and abandoned children in court proceedings. Fluent in Spanish. Seeking to join ABC’s Child Protection Division to continue making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. In previous roles, advocated for 12% more cases to go to trial and obtained positive outcomes in 97% of all represented cases.

Seasoned advocate for abused and neglected children in the Juvenile Court system. I have 12+ years of experience as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) where I advocated on behalf of hundreds of children throughout northeast Florida. In addition to my GAL work, I also have extensive experience as an attorney and mediator handling family law, dependency, and related matters.

Professional advocate for children with 5+ years of experience as a guardian ad litem. In previous roles, managed a caseload of up to 15 cases at any given time while representing the best interests of the child in both court and out-of-court proceedings. At ABC Agency, worked on high-conflict custody cases involving domestic violence and sexual abuse allegations. Seeking to continue advocating for children as part of the XYZ team.

Reliable and passionate guardian ad litem with experience working in both the public and private sectors. Proven ability to advocate for the best interests of children in contentious situations. Committed to providing high-quality representation for all clients, regardless of background or circumstance.

Energetic and experienced guardian ad litem with 7+ years of experience handling contested custody cases, divorce proceedings, and other family law matters. Passionate about advocating for the best interests of children and families. Recognized by the courts for excellence in client communication, legal research, and case management. Awarded “Ad Litem of the Year” in 2019 by the State Bar Association.

2. Experience / Employment

For the experience section, you want to list your previous employment in reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent job and work your way back.

When detailing what you did at each job, use bullet points. This makes the information easier to digest for the reader. When writing out the bullet points, be sure to go into detail about your responsibilities and any quantifiable results achieved.

For example, instead of saying “Assisted guardians ad litem with casework,” you could say, “Successfully advocated on behalf of 50+ children per year as a guardian ad litem; managed an annual caseload of 75+ cases.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

  • Appointed
  • Investigated
  • Interviewed
  • Monitored
  • Reported
  • Represented
  • Researched
  • Reviewed
  • Selected
  • Served
  • Supported
  • Testified
  • Trained
  • Volunteered
  • Wrote

Other general verbs you can use are:

  • Achieved
  • Advised
  • Assessed
  • Compiled
  • Coordinated
  • Demonstrated
  • Developed
  • Expedited
  • Facilitated
  • Formulated
  • Improved
  • Introduced
  • Mentored
  • Optimized
  • Participated
  • Prepared
  • Presented
  • Reduced
  • Reorganized
  • Revised
  • Spearheaded
  • Streamlined
  • Structured
  • Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

  • Efficiently managed a caseload of 40+ child welfare cases at any given time, ensuring that all deadlines were met and that each case received the necessary attention.
  • Volunteered over 200 hours to local children’s charities, providing much-needed support and guidance to underprivileged youth.
  • Mentored new guardians ad litem on best practices for working with children in the foster care system, resulting in a 50% reduction in complaints from parents/caretakers.
  • Improved communication between various stakeholders involved in each child’s welfare case, leading to better outcomes for the children involved.
  • Selected as Guardian ad Litem of the Year by the State Bar Association in recognition of dedication and excellence in service to vulnerable populations.
  • Achieved a 90% success rate in representing the best interests of children in court.
  • Reduced the number of cases requiring multiple appearances by 30%.
  • Introduced a new process for conducting interviews with child witnesses that resulted in more reliable information being gathered.
  • Reviewed and updated guardianship policies and procedures on an annual basis.
  • Confidently represented the interests of children in court, even in complex or sensitive cases.
  • Effectively managed a caseload of up to 50 active cases at any given time, conducting thorough interviews with children, parents and caretakers to gather information and make well-informed recommendations to the court.
  • Compiled over 100 reports detailing findings from home visits, school observations and medical examinations; provided expert testimony in court when necessary.
  • Supported the best interests of children by advocating for their safety, wellbeing and permanency in all legal proceedings; worked tirelessly to ensure that they received the care and protection they deserved.
  • Trained new guardians ad litem on effective case management techniques as well as state laws and regulations pertaining to child welfare; served as a mentor throughout their tenure.
  • Served as a liaison between various parties involved in each case, including but not limited to attorneys, social workers, foster parents and birth families; effectively communicated updates and changes while maintaining strict confidentiality at all times.
  • Revised the state-wide training curriculum for all new Guardian ad Litem volunteers, increasing the overall quality of representation for children in court.
  • Spearheaded a fundraising campaign that generated over $100,000 to support the work of Guardians ad Litem across the state.
  • Prepared detailed reports on each child’s situation and made recommendations to the court regarding custody, visitation, and other matters affecting the child’s welfare.
  • Developed and maintained contact with parents, foster parents, social workers, lawyers, and others involved in each case to ensure that all relevant information was gathered and considered.
  • Independently investigated allegations of abuse or neglect and took appropriate action to protect the safety of children involved in such cases.
  • Wrote over 150 court reports detailing the best interests of children in abuse, neglect and dependency cases.
  • Advised clients on family law matters such as child custody, visitation schedules and paternity testing procedures.
  • Presented findings and recommendations to judges in over 300 court hearings.
  • Utilized a network of professionals including social workers, psychologists and counselors to investigate each case thoroughly.
  • Consistently achieved positive outcomes for children by ensuring their safety and well-being remained the top priority throughout every stage of the legal process.
  • Researched and investigated more than 100 cases of abuse and neglect involving children.
  • Represented the best interests of over 50 children in court proceedings.
  • Reliably completed all required paperwork and documentation within strict deadlines.
  • Expedited the resolution of several complex cases by facilitating communication between parties.
  • Demonstrated sound judgement in making recommendations to the court regarding custody, visitation, and other matters affecting the welfare of children.
  • Diligently advocated for the best interests of 50+ children per year in court, working tirelessly to ensure that their voices were heard and that they received the care and protection they deserved.
  • Coordinated with social workers, lawyers, parents/guardians and other relevant parties to develop comprehensive case plans for each child, outlining the necessary steps to be taken in order to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Interviewed children on a regular basis to check on their wellbeing and progress, documenting any changes or concerns; notified appropriate parties immediately of any red flags or issues that arose.
  • Monitored compliance with court orders and ensured that all involved parties were upholding their responsibilities; took immediate action when necessary to protect the safety and best interests of the child/ren involved.
  • Formulated detailed reports based on observations made throughout the course of each case, providing valuable insights and recommendations to judges which helped shape decision-making in regards to custody arrangements, living situations etc.
  • Optimized client-child relationships by communicating with parents, teachers, social workers and other professionals on a regular basis; ensured that the child’s best interests were always represented in court.
  • Participated in over 50 court hearings, including mediations, settlement conferences and motions; provided expert testimony on the child’s behalf in 10 cases.
  • Testified in front of judges to advocate for the best possible outcome for the child in abuse & neglect, custody & visitation, guardianship and termination of parental rights proceedings.
  • Competently managed a caseload of up to 20 active clients at any given time while maintaining detailed client files and documentation.

3. Skills

The skills required for a guardian ad litem job will depend on the jurisdiction in which you are working. However, some skills that are typically required include:

-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

-The ability to empathize with others

– Strong research and critical thinking skills

– The ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

  • Ability To Work Independently
  • Ability To Work With Attorneys
  • Ability To Work With Children
  • Ability To Work With Families
  • Ability To Work With The Court System
  • Child Advocacy
  • Communication Skills
  • Courtroom Experience
  • Organizational Skills
  • Time Management Skills

4. Education

Mentioning your education on your resume is important if you are a guardian ad litem. Include the name of the law school you attended, as well as any relevant coursework or projects. For example, “Courses included Child Advocacy, Family Law, and Mediation.”

Juris Doctor
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications highlight to potential employers that you are competent and have the required skills for the job.

Including any relevant certifications in this section of your resume will show that you are actively keeping your knowledge up-to-date, which is highly valued by employers.

Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist
National Association of Counsel for Children
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for George Hyatt, this would be George-Hyatt-resume.pdf or George-Hyatt-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Providing a cover letter along with your resume gives hiring managers a better understanding of who you are and what kind of worker you will be. It is an opportunity to elaborate on your skills, experience and motivation for the role you are applying for.

Your cover letter should be 2 to 4 paragraphs long and free of any grammar or spelling errors. Be sure to proofread it before sending off your job application!

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Madisyn,

I am interested in the guardian ad litem opening at your firm. As a highly experienced attorney and mediator with extensive experience working with families and children, I feel confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

My experience includes serving as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children, as well as working as an attorney representing clients in divorce, custody, and support matters. In these roles, I have developed strong skills in investigating cases, interviewing witnesses (including children), gathering evidence, writing reports, and advocating on behalf of my clients. I have also mediated numerous family law cases, including those involving child custody and visitation issues.

In addition to my legal experience, I am also a certified life coach and have completed training in trauma-informed care. These additional skills enable me to provide emotional support to clients who are going through difficult times.

I believe that my combination of legal knowledge, advocacy skills, and interpersonal abilities would make me an excellent guardian ad litem for your firm. I look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity soon. Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Guardian Ad Litem Resume Templates

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