In Re: Adoption of: L.B.M., A Minor

OPINION

JUSTICE WECHT

This case requires us to determine whether 23 Pa.C.S. § 2313(a), which mandates the appointment of counsel for children involved in contested involuntary termination of parental rights (“TPR”) proceedings, is satisfied by the appointment of a guardian ad litem (“GAL”) provided that the GAL is an attorney. We hold that under the facts of the present case, *432it is not. Accordingly we reverse and remand for further proceedings consistent with this decision.1

I. Background

At the outset, we define the terms that provide the backdrop for our resolution of this issue. In cases…