LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has appointed a Lincoln attorney as the director of the new Nebraska Office of Public Guardian.

Michelle Chaffee has served as legal counsel for the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee and has 10 years’ experience in higher education administration.

Chaffee will be responsible for building the new statewide office and assisting in the establishment of guardian and conservator services throughout Nebraska in both urban and rural courts. Although the state will continue to rely on volunteers to assist the elderly and others in need of guardianship, the new office will serve as a means of last resort as guardian or conservator for those where no family member or suitable individual is available.

Chaffee is expected to begin her position in December.