On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the Office of the Chief Judge of a Maine District Court granted Attorney Heidi M. Drew’s motion to reconsider her interim suspension from the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) roster. This decision followed a hearing held on January 31, 2024, which was closed to the public.
The case is entitled “Guardian Ad Litem Review Board v. Heidi Drew,” with case no. GAL-24-364.
Attorney Drew had been suspended on November 21, 2024, after a petition was filed by the Guardian Ad Litem Review Board, citing concerns about her performance in two child protection cases. The suspension was enacted under Maine Rules for Guardian Ad Litem, which permits immediate suspension if there is probable cause to believe that a guardian has violated rules that could cause immediate harm to a child or the court.
In response to the suspension, Drew filed a motion to reconsider the order on November 22, 2024. The GAL Review Board responded to this motion on November 25, 2024, and Drew further replied on November 26, 2024. After reviewing the evidence and arguments presented, the Office of the Chief Judge set the matter for a hearing on January 31, 2024.
During the proceedings, Drew was represented by Attorney Walter McKee, while Attorney Mara King represented the Guardian Ad Litem Review Board. Additionally, Attorney Julia Sheridan attended on behalf of the Maine Board of Bar Overseers. The court emphasized the confidentiality surrounding the issues discussed, imposing a protective order on the filings associated with the case.
The review found that Drew had failed to fulfill her responsibilities in two cases dating back to 2021 and 2022. Specifically, she did not file required reports with the court and did not meet with a child placed in a resource home during an extended period. Despite these shortcomings, the court acknowledged that Drew’s inability to meet her obligations was largely due to an excessive caseload. In 2022, she had taken on 61 new GAL cases, which had led to her interim suspension.
Drew has since taken steps to reduce her workload, significantly lowering the number of cases she handles. At the time of her suspension, she was managing 82 cases across 59 households. The Chief Judge noted that Drew’s strategy for improving her practice includes limiting her caseload to a maximum of 25 assignments, implementing a tracking system to ensure regular contact with children, and hiring administrative support.
The Office of the Chief Judge concluded that Drew had met the burden of proof required to vacate her interim suspension. The court determined that the concerns prompting the suspension no longer existed, allowing Drew to return to her role as a GAL. The decision to lift the suspension does not affect any ongoing disciplinary proceedings against her.
In the ruling, the Chief Judge underscored that the standards for lifting such a suspension require clear and convincing evidence that the original grounds for suspension have been addressed. The court’s findings indicated that Drew, when fully engaged, has demonstrated the capability to effectively serve as a guardian ad litem.
With the lifting of her suspension, Attorney Heidi M. Drew can now resume her duties, contributing to child welfare services as a guardian ad litem.
The Disposition states:
“The Office of the Chief Judge finds that Attorney Drew has met her burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that the grounds for her interim suspension no longer exist. Therefore, Respondent’s Motion to Reconsider/Rescind Order is hereby GRANTED and Attorney Drew’s interim suspension is hereby VACATED.”
According to martindale.com, Ms. Drew attended the University of Maine School of Law, graduating in 2010. She acquired her law license in Maine in 2010.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
