SLR 2-8.015: ATTORNEYS FOR CHILDREN

(1) Pursuant to ORS 107.425 (6), when the court has ordered on its own motion, or upon motion of a party, or a request from a child to appoint an attorney in a pending matter, the matter shall be routed to the chief civil judge. (2) When a request is made by the child, or upon the court’s own motion, the court will make best efforts to appoint an attorney within 14 days of receiving the request subject to attorney availability and the appointment may occur without further notice to the parties. (3) A motion to appoint an attorney for a child that is made by a party in a pending proceeding must be served on all named parties in the case in accordance with ORCP 9 and must be filed with a proposed order as outlined in (4) below. The court will place the motion on the non-oral civil motions docket five weeks after filing for decision and provide notice to the parties. The motion must include: (a) The child’s contact information for the court and the attorney to reach the minor child, (b) The position of all the parties regarding the motion, (c) The next hearing date set in the case; and (d) A proposal for payment for the costs associated with the attorney, and whether the court should consider a particular attorney for the child and that attorney’s willingness and availability to be appointed. 02/01/2026 2nd Judicial District - Lane County Circuit Court Supplementary Local Rules 18 (4) A proposed order of appointment shall include: (a) The name and contact information for the attorney, (b) The contact information for the attorney to reach the child, if available, (c) Whether the attorney is an advocate on behalf of the child or is an attorney for the best interests of the child, as different ethical duties apply, (see: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/family/sflac/Conference%20Materials/FLC.21.Lawyer s.Materials.pdf) (d) A release of information provision that allows the attorney to receive relevant records related to the child (such as school, medical, dental, counseling, etc.), (e) A provision requiring each party to the case to make the child accessible to the attorney free from interference or monitoring by the parties, (f) A provision regarding payment to the attorney if appropriate; and (g) A provision relating to the attorney’s termination of representation of the child. (5) The court appointed attorney shall, at a minimum, consult with the child and, when appropriate and permissible under the rules of ethics, share information with the parents about the child’s concerns. The attorney shall review settlement proposals regarding custody and parenting time, shall prepare the child for testimony in the event the child is called as a witness in the case, and shall attend trial at the time of the child’s testimony. The attorney may file a trial memorandum/statement of advocacy with the court on behalf of the child but otherwise does not participate in the trial proceedings, unless otherwise ordered by the court.