On Monday, October 2, 2023, the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Review Board in the State of Maine issued a reprimand to Naira B. Soifer, a GAL who served on a child protective case between April and September 2022. The reprimand was a result of a complaint filed against Soifer, alleging violations of the Maine Rules for Guardians ad Litem (GAL Rules)
The case is entitled “In Re Naira B. Soifer,” case no. GAL #22-370.
The charges cited that Soifer violated GAL Rules 5(b), 5(1)(2), and 9(a)(1), which provide:
Using Judicial Branch form PC-034, the guardian ad litem in a child protection case shall file a Compliance Report with the guardian ad litem report 7 days before any hearing or on another date specified by a judicial officer.
Guardian ad litem to perform their work promptly; and
It is misconduct for a GAL to violate the Rules or an appointment order.
The complaint alleged that Soifer violated important rules and procedures as a guardian ad litem in a child protective matter in the State of Maine. Firstly, Soifer failed to file the GAL report in a timely manner, contrary to the court’s orders. Secondly, she did not submit a required Compliance Report. Lastly, Soifer’s actions constituted misconduct and compromised the integrity of the GAL process and the representation of the child’s best interests.
Soifer submitted a conditional admission prior to the formal charges being filed. This conditional admission, along with information provided by the Board Counsel, was carefully reviewed by the panel overseeing the case.
Based on the facts presented and Soifer’s conditional admission of misconduct, the panel thoroughly reviewed the case and concluded that a reprimand is the appropriate disciplinary action to ensure the protection of the public.
According to Avvo, Ms. Naira B. Soifer is an attorney in Brunswick, Maine. She attended Boston College Law School, graduating in 1980. She acquired her law license in Maine in 1983.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
