Sec. 177.16. Contact with outside attorneys

(a) Whenever it appears to an ombudsman that a youth is in need of legal services, the ombudsman may contact the youth's attorney or legal representative or assist the youth in making such contact.

(b) Whenever a youth requests the ombudsman's assistance in bringing legal action against the division or in challenging an administrative decision of the division, the ombudsman shall promptly notify the general counsel's office of such request. The ombudsman may assist the youth by preparing the appropriate legal papers and filing them with the court, and by requesting the court to assign an attorney to represent the youth. In no event, however, shall the ombudsman serve as the youth's attorney without the consent of the director of the division or designee.