Program Chair:
Sarah DeKraay
Murphy Desmond S.C.
Madison
Presenters:
Paul F. Angel
Angel and Angel, S.C.
Dodgeville
Haley Bjorn
Judicare Legal Aid
Wausau
Adam J. Dassow
Axley Brynelson LLP
Janesville
Tiffany L. Highstrom
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Madison
Christopher S. Krimmer
Forward Legal Services
Madison
Kristen E. Lonergan
Crooks Law Firm S.C.
Wausau
Bradley C. Schweiger
Richter & Schweiger
Madison
Megan M. Stoltz
Stoltz Law Office LLC
Monona
Sara M. Vanden Brook
The Law Center, S.C.
Madison
Hon. Thomas J. Walsh
Brown County Circuit Court
Green Bay
8:30 a.m. Children Testifying in Family Court
- Basic Rules of Evidence for GALs
- The Law of Child Testimony
- The Law of Interviewing a child
- Methods of interviewing a child
- Parties included
- Questions
- Setting
- Effect on children and families
Hon. Thomas J. Walsh
9:30 a.m. Break
9:45 a.m. Current Issues for GALs
Paul F. Angel, Adam J. Dassow, Bradley C. Schweiger
11:15 a.m. The Rising Use of Parent Coordinators
- What is Parent Coordination?
- Common Decisions for Parent Coordinators.
- Who can serve as Parent Coordinators?
- What is the legal authority for a Parent Coordinators?
- Can the Court require a Parent Coordinator in a family law action?
Christopher S. Krimmer
12:05 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1:15 p.m. The Impact of Domestic Violence on Custody & Placement: Legal Presumptions & Advocacy
- How domestic violence can affect presumptions about custody in family law cases
- How domestic violence can affect presumptions about placement in family law cases
- Obstacles for practitioners and pro se parties
- Advocating for clients who have experienced domestic violence
Haley Bjorn
2:05 p.m. Break
2:20 p.m. Best Practices for Custody and Placement Orders
Kristen E. Lonergan
3:10 p.m. Trending Ethical Issues for Guardians ad Litem
o Evidentiary concerns (e.g., reference letters)
o Stipulations/Unauthorized Practice of Law
o Access/Research tools - Firm policies
o Hypotheticals and polls
o GALs meeting with represented parties
- Point/counter point in WJFL and WI Lawyer
- Communicating the child's wishes
o When you don't have to
- GAL's role in genetic testing
Tiffany L. Highstrom, Megan M. Stoltz and Sara M. Vanden Brook
4:10 p.m. Program Concludes
- Receive a primer on child testimony in contested custody and placement cases
- Discover how domestic violence can affect presumptions about custody and placement
- Understand the role of parent coordinators and when it may be helpful to request one
- Gain practical tips for making custody and placement recommendations
- Identify and avoid common ethical pitfalls GALs face
- Guardians ad litem for minors
- Family law attorneys
- Divorce lawyers
- Attorneys seeking GAL minor appointments
Book Bonus!
The Guardian ad Litem Handbook
Save 15% on the The Guardian ad Litem Handbook.* This comprehensive resource is filled with practical information on handling GAL appointments, whether you’re looking for guidance on the basics or need help with complex issues. Use discount code CA3782 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 through 12/31/26. For Books UnBound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books UnBound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.