As a court-appointed dependency lawyer in Philadelphia, I have become familiar with the American Bar Association’s proposed model act governing the representation of children in abuse, neglect and dependency proceedings. If that is adopted, will it be ethical for lawyers to continue to participate in court-appointed dependency matters?
Lawyers in Philadelphia who do indigent dependency cases are perhaps the most underpaid group of workers in America. These lawyers have a tremendous responsibility for the lives of children and their parents, yet are paid by a system at a rate that is ridiculous. The system pays only $500 the first year, $300 the second year and $60 for each year after that. The system has no regard for how many hearings or meetings the lawyer has to attend.
