Program Chairs and Presenters

Jessica A. Liebau
Wessels & Liebau LLC
Mequon

Avery J. Mayne
Walny Legal Group LLC
Milwaukee

Presenters

Cindy Bentley
People First Wisconsin
Glendale

Amy M. Burger
Law Office of Attorney Amy Burger
Hubertus

Robert T. Pledl
Davis & Pledl, S.C.
Milwaukee

Elizabeth Ruthmansdorfer
Ruthmansdorfer Law Group, S.C.
South Milwaukee

Polly Shoemaker
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources
Madison

8:30 a.m. : Guardianship Basics

• Handling an initial guardianship/protective placement case from appointment through payment
• Navigating a temporary guardianship
• Conducting an annual (“Watts”) review

Avery J. Mayne

10:00 a.m. : Break

10:15 a.m. : Revisiting Key Statutes and Seminal Cases Regarding Guardianships and Protective Placements

• Key guardianship cases that every GAL should know
• Holdings regarding Watts reviews, Agnes T, Medicaid planning, end of life decisions.
• Recent cases and statutory update

Jessica A. Liebau

11:05 a.m. : Treatable Mental Illness vs. Permanent Incapacity: Exploring Chapters 51, 54, and 55

• Explore parameters of Chapter 51 and “treatable conditions”
• Compare 51’s temporary orders with permanent orders under chapter 55
• Consider tips for navigating cases where both treatable conditions and permanent incapacity may be at play

Robert T. Pledl

12:05 p.m. : Lunch (on own)

1:05 p.m. : “I Fought for ‘Less Restrictive Means’ ” – Stories of Independence

• Hear the first-hand account of an individual who spent years institutionalized before gaining greater autonomy over her own life and becoming a leader and advocate in her community

Jessica A. Liebau, Cindy Bentley

1:55 p.m. : Post-Guardianship: A Look at Supported Decision Making

Amy M. Burger, Polly Shoemaker

2:45 p.m. : Break

3:00 p.m. : Ethics for the GAL – What it Means to be the Eyes and Ears of the Court

• Eligibility for appointment
• Required communications and to whom
• Conflicts of interest
• Taking a position

Elizabeth Ruthmansdorfer

3:50 p.m. : Program Concludes

Following program start times, webcast replay schedule may vary slightly from above listed times.

• Handle a guardianship or protective placement from appointment through payment
• Revisit key statutes and seminal cases involving guardianship and protective placement
• Be able to distinguish treatable mental illness cases from guardianships
• Hear stories from people who terminated their guardianships and gained independence
• Earn the credits necessary to accept GAL appointments for adults

• Guardians ad litem for adults
• Elder law attorneys
• Attorneys representing adults with special needs

Event Brochure

Book Sale – Save 20%

Guardian ad Litem Handbook

Save 20% on Guardian ad Litem Handbook .* Plus, all seminar attendees receive a free two-week trial of the Books UnBound^® version. Wisconsin’s most comprehensive guide to being a GAL. Find essential information for handling the legal issues as a GAL and gain insight into understanding the human side of a case.

Use discount code CA3291 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books UnBound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid as long as CLE credit is available for this program. For Books UnBound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books UnBound title only and may not be used on purchase of full library.

In an effort to keep members and staff as safe as possible, we ask that you be vaccinated or have a current negative COVID test taken no more than 48 hours prior to attending any in-person, official State Bar meeting or event, regardless of its location. Until further notice, masking in group meetings is required by staff and asked of members, regardless of vaccination status. In addition, all event attendees will be required to sign into any in-person events that they attend.