Right to counsel

Iowa Code § 600A.6(2), which governs adoptions, states:

a.  Prior to the service of notice on the necessary parties, the juvenile court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor child if the child does not have a guardian or if the interests of the guardian conflict with the interests of the child. Such guardian ad litem shall be a necessary party under subsection 1 of this section.

b.  A person who is appointed as a guardian ad litem for a minor child shall not also be the attorney for any party other than the minor child in any proceeding involving the minor child. The guardian ad litem may make an independent investigation of the interest of the child and may cause witnesses to appear before the court to provide testimony relevant to the best interest of the minor child.

Under Iowa Code §600A.2(9), a guardian ad litem as defined within § 600A is required to be a practicing attorney appointed to represent a minor child in a legal action.