Section 3 - Qualifications of Appointed CounselA. Prior to appointment as counsel for children in child abuse and neglect proceedings, an attorney shall have the following qualifications: 1. The attorney shall be licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana and in good standing with the Louisiana State Bar Association; and 2. Effective July 1, 2005, the attorney shall have completed within the last two years a minimum of eight hours of training or education relevant to child abuse and neglect cases, and/or shall have sufficient knowledge to satisfy the court of the attorney's qualifications. Evidence of qualifications may include proof of attendance at relevant continuing education programs or documentation of qualifications signed by a judge.
3. Effective January 1, 2006 and thereafter, the attorney shall complete a minimum of six hours of approved continuing legal education each calendar year, and shall submit to the Supreme Court documentation of compliance no later than January 31 of the following calendar year. The requisite education shall include relevant law and jurisprudence, child development, child abuse and neglect, and the roles, responsibilities and duties of independent counsel for children, including the Standards for Representation of Children.
B. Attorneys shall submit evidence of their qualifications to the Louisiana Supreme Court, Division of Children and Families, and a list of attorneys qualified for appointment shall be maintained and published by the Court. C. Appointment of counsel for children in child abuse and neglect cases shall be made from the list of qualified attorneys, except when the court appoints an attorney otherwise qualified but not yet on the list. In that case, the court shall document the qualifications of the attorney and instruct the attorney to file the documentation with the Supreme Court.