We use cookies or similar technologies to improve user experience, analyze website traffic, enable and maintain log-in and personalization settings, connections with selected partners and for marketing purposes (managing advertising space and recommend products of interest to you). You can block or adjust saving cookies at any time, by changing the settings of your web browser. By continuing to use this website without disabling cookies in your web browser you ‘ACCEPT’ saving cookies. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.

GAL Training 2024

Product ID: CA3629R5
Presented By: State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE

GAL basics and best practices

In family law matters, guardians ad litem (GALs) have the challenging responsibility of advocating for the best interests of children in emotionally charged circumstances. At GAL Training 2024, you’ll explore the critical part GALs play in family court proceedings and hear how well-versed practitioners approach GAL appointments.

Accept no substitutions

There’s no substitute for guidance from those who’ve been in the trenches — and on the benches. GAL Training 2024 brings together judges, family court commissioners, guardians ad litem, and State Bar of Wisconsin Ethics Counsel to share their insights on a vast array of issues. Both new and experienced GALs will come away with helpful tools for approaching basic and more complex situations, with a better understanding of:

  • The wide range of roles a GAL may be called upon to perform
  • Communicating the best wishes of the child to the court
  • Dealing with high conflict parents
  • How the rules of evidence apply to family law cases
  • Issuing subpoenas and building a witness list
  • How to formulate your recommendations to the court
  • Best practices for appearing before court commissioners
  • What judges expect from you in court
Read More ↓

Sponsored By

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

Select a Format

OnDemand seminar

Pricing

Member $269.00

Non-Member $349.00

Credits

6 CLE, 1 EPR, 6 GALF, 6 GALMIN

Date and Time

Wednesday, June 19, 20248:30 AM - 3:10 PM CT

Add to Calendar 6/19/2024 8:30:00 AM 6/19/2024 3:10:00 PM America/Chicago GAL Training 2024

GAL basics and best practices

In family law matters, guardians ad litem (GALs) have the challenging responsibility of advocating for the best interests of children in emotionally charged circumstances. At GAL Training 2024, you’ll explore the critical part GALs play in family court proceedings and hear how well-versed practitioners approach GAL appointments.

Accept no substitutions

There’s no substitute for guidance from those who’ve been in the trenches — and on the benches. GAL Training 2024 brings together judges, family court commissioners, guardians ad litem, and State Bar of Wisconsin Ethics Counsel to share their insights on a vast array of issues. Both new and experienced GALs will come away with helpful tools for approaching basic and more complex situations, with a better understanding of:

  • The wide range of roles a GAL may be called upon to perform
  • Communicating the best wishes of the child to the court
  • Dealing with high conflict parents
  • How the rules of evidence apply to family law cases
  • Issuing subpoenas and building a witness list
  • How to formulate your recommendations to the court
  • Best practices for appearing before court commissioners
  • What judges expect from you in court
aagOTNdBczOPpqCrTmAF60877

No longer available, please choose from options above.

Maximum quantity must be less than or equal to 1.

GAL basics and best practices

In family law matters, guardians ad litem (GALs) have the challenging responsibility of advocating for the best interests of children in emotionally charged circumstances. At GAL Training 2024, you’ll explore the critical part GALs play in family court proceedings and hear how well-versed practitioners approach GAL appointments.

Accept no substitutions

There’s no substitute for guidance from those who’ve been in the trenches — and on the benches. GAL Training 2024 brings together judges, family court commissioners, guardians ad litem, and State Bar of Wisconsin Ethics Counsel to share their insights on a vast array of issues. Both new and experienced GALs will come away with helpful tools for approaching basic and more complex situations, with a better understanding of:

  • The wide range of roles a GAL may be called upon to perform
  • Communicating the best wishes of the child to the court
  • Dealing with high conflict parents
  • How the rules of evidence apply to family law cases
  • Issuing subpoenas and building a witness list
  • How to formulate your recommendations to the court
  • Best practices for appearing before court commissioners
  • What judges expect from you in court
Read More ↓

Sponsored By

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

Program Chair:

Sarah DeKraay
Murphy Desmond S.C.
Madison

Speakers:

Michael S. Brandt
Eastbridge Law Group LLP
Madison

Comm. Brian J. Bushaw
Outagamie County Circuit Court
Appleton

Comm. Sally-Anne Danner
Fond du Lac County Circuit Court
Fond du Lac

Tiffany L. Highstrom
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Madison

Comm. Kelly Iselin
Walworth County Circuit Court
Elkhorn

Hon. Rhonda L. Lanford
Dane County Circuit Court
Madison

Timothy J. Pierce
State Bar of Wisconsin
Madison

Brad C. Schweiger
Richter & Phillips
Madison

8:30 a.m. The role of the guardian ad litem.

  • Tips for how to interview children
  • How to formulate your recommendation and abide by the rules of evidence
  • Communicating the best wishes of the child to the court
  • Conflicts and how to avoid them
  • Overcoming the therapeutic privilege
  • Dealing with parents that are high conflict

Michael S. Brandt, Tiffany L. Highstrom, Brad C. Schweiger

10:10 a.m. Break

10:25 a.m. Family Court Commissioner Roundtable

  • Best practices for appearing before a court commissioner
  • Examples of procedure in different counties
  • What a commissioner wants from a GAL

Brian Bushaw, Sally-Anne Danner, Kelly Iselin

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

1:15 p.m. Judge’s Perspective – Presenting your Case to the Court

  • The rules of evidence and how they apply in family law cases
  • The Witness list and who should testify
  • Issuing subpoenas- when do you have too many witnesses?

Hon. Rhonda L. Lanford

2:05 p.m. Break

2:20 p.m. Ethical Responsibilities when acting as a GAL

Timothy J. Pierce

3:10 p.m. Program Concludes

  • Receive a comprehensive overview of guardian ad litem practice and procedure
  • Understand the GAL’s role in the investigation process with concrete examples from seasoned GALs
  • Pick up practical pointers on conducting interviews and communicating the child’s wishes to the court
  • Know the statutory factors a GAL must consider when making recommendations on a child’s behalf
  • Avoid ethical entanglements common to GAL appointments
  • Gain insights on what judges and court commissioners expect from GALs
  • Make effective recommendations for the custody and placement of children
  • Guardians ad litem for minors
  • Family law attorneys
  • Juvenile law and children’s attorneys
  • 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 CA3629 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 12/31/25. 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.

0 Customer Reviews
5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%

Customer Reviews

Share your thoughts with other customers by being the first to review this product and or seminar.