Legal Aid SocietyWhat We Do... Pro Bono Feature – Kimberly Ashby

he Orange County Guardian ad Litem Program is unique in its structure; reliant on both staff attorneys and pro bono Orange County attorneys to represent the best interests of children who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Throughout the rest of the state of Florida, a lay volunteer (non-attorney) serves that role. Here at our Guardian ad Litem Program, we would not be able to serve the most vulnerable of our community to the extent we do without the dedication of volunteer attorneys who take cases. We have approximately 360 children who are currently served by 225 pro bono attorneys. One of those extraordinary volunteers is attorney Kimberly Ashby.

Ms. Ashby is well known in the legal community for her work as a Partner at the law firm Foley & Lardner working in the areas of commercial litigation, construction, and appellate practice. She is Board Certified in Construction Law and Appellate Law by the Florida Bar. What many do not know about Ms. Ashby is that she began serving as a Guardian ad Litem attorney in 2013 and has since represented 20 children in 9 cases. She is the epitome of a Guardian ad Litem. She is devoted to the children she is appointed to represent. She works tirelessly every day fighting for the needs of those kids. She is invested in all aspects of their lives, celebrating their successes, as well as lifting them up when they go through hard times. She is a fierce advocate for their needs, even if they may not agree with her decision, and she stays in touch with the children and families after her appointment ends. She is passionate about her work as a Guardian ad Litem and she has made an immense impact on the lives of the children who have been fortunate enough to have her appointed.

When discussing Guardian ad Litem work, Ms. Ashby was very open and shared her thoughts on the benefits of Guardian ad Litem attorney volunteerism.

Q: What made you want to be a pro bono Guardian ad Litem attorney?

A: My first GAL assignment was for a child who was my protégé under the Children’s Home Society’s Mentor Program. When his caretaker/grandmother died, he went into dependency, and I was asked to be GAL for him and his brother. I had known the family for several years and knowing that these boys were headed to a group home, it was important to me that I stay involved and try to achieve a reunification with their mother.

Q: What do you enjoy about being a pro bono Guardian ad Litem?

A: Kids are great, all of them. When circumstances put them in dependency, it is not their fault. They are scared, confused, and sometimes guilty that they may have done something to cause this

Tto happen. I am (almost) always big fans of the parents that have messed up somehow, and need help getting their own life on track so that they can reunite and support their kids.

Q: What do you feel is your biggest success as a pro bono Guardian ad Litem?

A: For me, these are not my successes. I have witnessed a lifelong mother [addicted to illegal substances] make it through Drug Court, achieving “reunification” with children that she had never had at her home; another mother with a dependency on meth[amphetamines], get the treatment and support she needed, getting and keeping her first job, and recovering her 2-year-old and 8-month-old baby. If we could open up the courtroom at the final hearings of these types of cases, you would invariably see the entire courtroom tear up, burst into applause, and celebrate the independent victories that these families and children experience. There is nothing like it in the world.

Q: Does the Guardian ad Litem Program assist you in being a pro bono Guardian ad Litem, if so, in what ways?

A: Yes, in so many ways. Dependency is overseen by the Florida Department of Children and Families, which is an administrative agency. The daily workings of any agency include many regulations and procedures that are technical and require experts who know where to go, and how to get remedies for the kids that are under the jurisdiction. Each case is so different, each child so unique, that without the support from the GAL Program it would be hard to conceive of helping even one child with access to the services they are entitled to, school education and medical issues, and support for the caregivers – foster parents, group homes.

Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering as a pro bono Guardian ad Litem?

A: I would ask them this question: “How many of the children in dependency are George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life?” Answer: “All of them.” Each life affects so many others, and a chance to give them the support they need and deserve is the ultimate opportunity to serve.

Q: What advice would you give a new pro bono Guardian ad Litem?

A: Don’t worry if you don’t know it all when you get started–there are dozens of people who can help you along the way. The time investment is the type of payment of ‘civic rent’ that Raymer Maguire, Jr., taught us was our responsibility as part of being a citizen in our community. You will change the lives of young children in harm’s way. And they will change yours.

If you are interested in becoming a Guardian ad Litem or for more information, please contact Ronnie Syme, rsyme@legalaidocba. org at (407) 841-8310. For more information on how to become a financial donor or help with our fundraising efforts please contact Donna Haynes, Director of Development at (407) 515-1850 or email dhaynes@legalaidocba.org.