Thank you

Our live webcast has ended. If you were not able to attend on the day of the webcast, or if you purchased the e-learn product, you may watch the video to earn full CLE credit. Once you have completed the video, you will be directed to the next item to obtain your certificate.

NOTE: Please complete the CLE Affidavit at the end of Day 2 to receive your IL MCLE Certificate. It is available by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the program title above the video.

 Program Moderator: Paulette M. Gray, Gray & Gray LLC, Crystal Lake

Day One – Child Rep/GAL Training Basics – (6.75 hours)

Overview of the Program and the Importance of Child Reps and GALs
Understand the differences between Guardians ad Litem and Child Reps as well as why we need them and what you will learn during this program.  What is in “the best interest of the child?” Learn what requirements exist for those representing children in litigation and what is good practice (although not technically required). What factors do courts consider in allocating parental responsibilities?
Daniel Kessler, Dussias Wittenberg Koenigsberger LLP, Chicago, Deerfield, Oak Brook & Tinley Park 

The Nuts & Bolts and Ethics of Serving as a Child Rep or GAL
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Understand the scope of your appointment (what are you supposed to do/not do?).  Review your ethical obligations as a GAL/child representative.  Learn how to connect with the child and establish/ maintain their confidence during your representation.
Steven E. Wasko, Steponate & Wasko, Ltd., Park Ridge

Interviewing Children:  How to get Reliable Information from Children you Interview
Learn specific skills for interviewing children, focusing on techniques that will increase children’s communication with you and increase the likelihood of obtaining trustworthy information.
Dr. Sol Rappaport, Ph.D, ABPP, Counseling Connections, Libertyville

Connecting with the Child and/or the Parents: Conducting the Initial Interviews
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Learn about the three C’s for interviewing children, parents and collaterals: Confidentiality, Control & Camaraderie.  Understand the delicate balancing act required in order to effectively connect with interviewees, and get tips for successfully conducting interviews in our "virtual world.
Mary T. Doheny, Law Offices of Wessel & Doheny, Chicago

Structuring and Scheduling Parenting Time
How do you structure visitation orders and determine who should get what time (including grandparents)? Understand the “25 mile” question as well as other issues that complicate schedules.
Jacalyn Birnbaum, Birnbaum, Haddon, Gelfman & Arnoux, LLC, Chicago

Best Practices for Appearing in Court and Other Tips from the Trenches
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Learn about duties pursuant to the 900 Series, including settlement efforts; how and when to issue reports or memoranda, and timing issues related thereto; and other discretionary matters.
Janet L. Mazurek, Law Offices of Janet L. Mazurek, P.C., Barrington
Bella Maria Rappaport, Law Office of Bella Maria Rappaport, Bannockburn

Guardian Ad Litem Fees
(0.5 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Learn the statutory requirements for billing and tips for keeping your GAL bills current.
Lisa M. Nyuli, Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C., South Elgin

Litigation and its Impact on Children
How does litigation impact children and what can litigators do to make the process easier for the adolescent client?  Learn how to keep children out of the courtroom, avoid an in-camera, and help keep kids out of the middle of the dispute.  Understand how to help achieve affected children’s desires and goals.
Joel J. Levin, Levin & Associates, Chicago
Howard P. Rosenberg, Law Offices of Howard P. Rosenberg, Northbrook

Judges’ Panel
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Hear what family law judges think should – and should not – be included in your report.  Learn what they do with the report and get tips for improving your reports.          
Panel Moderator: Paulette M. Gray, Gray & Gray LLC, Crystal Lake 
Hon. René Cruz, Presiding Judge, Family Division, Kane County Circuit Court, St. Charles 
Hon. Richard D. Felice, 18th Judicial Circuit Court, Wheaton
Hon. Carey C. Gill, 1st Judicial Circuit Court, Marion   
Hon. Jeffrey L. Hirsch, 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, McHenry County, Woodstock 
Hon. Lori Rosen, Cook County Circuit Court, Chicago 
Joel J. Levin, Levin & Associates, Chicago 
Jennifer J. Wood, Wood Law, P.C., Plainfield 

Adjourn Day 1

Day Two – Hot Topics Affecting the Child Rep/GAL Practice (3.25 hours) (Next item)

Case Law Update: What’s New in Cases Involving Families & Children?
Michael S. Strauss, Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC, Libertyville

The Impact of Mental Health Confidentiality and 607 of the IMDMA on Your Case   
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Identify the definitions, restrictions, and allowances of the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act as well as Section 607 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.
Jonathan D. Nye, Nye Law Group, Ltd., Fox River Grove

Resources Available to the Child Rep/GAL
Understand how to obtain and utilize school records, medical and mental health records, criminal background checks, DCFS records, subpoenas, and other third-party information. Learn unorthodox methods of gathering information to assist you in your role.
Denise M. Kuzniewski, Law Office of Denise M. Kuzniewski, McHenry

Specialized Issues: Cases Involving Special Needs Children, Minors with Mental Illness, and Adults with Disabilities
Learn about the unique attention that family law cases involving special needs children or adults require from Child Reps and GALs, along with distinctive approaches and different interventions that may vary from those used in traditional appointments by the Court.
Jennifer J. Wood, Wood Law, P.C., Plainfield

Mental Health Evaluators Panel
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Learn the differences between 215 and 604 evaluations, understand what types of testing are currently involved in custody evaluations and how those results are handled, and gain new perspectives on the value of the evaluation process and its role in informing the court.
Dr. Sharon Z. Johnson, PhD, Pediatric Consultation Center and Associates, Deerfield
Dr. Mark Mosk, PhD, Dr. Mosk Consulting, Highland Park

Adjourn

Description

NOTE: Please complete the CLE Affidavit at the end of Day 2 to receive your IL MCLE Certificate. It is available by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the program title above the video.

 Program Moderator: Paulette M. Gray, Gray & Gray LLC, Crystal Lake

Day One – Child Rep/GAL Training Basics – (6.75 hours)

8:50                                     Welcoming Announcements

9:00 – 9:45                        Overview of the Program and the Importance of Child Reps and GALs
Understand the differences between Guardians ad Litem and Child Reps as well as why we need them and what you will learn during this program.  What is in “the best interest of the child?” Learn what requirements exist for those representing children in litigation and what is good practice (although not technically required). What factors do courts consider in allocating parental responsibilities?
Daniel Kessler, Dussias Wittenberg Koenigsberger LLP, Chicago, Deerfield, Oak Brook & Tinley Park 

9:45 – 10:30                      The Nuts & Bolts and Ethics of Serving as a Child Rep or GAL
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Understand the scope of your appointment (what are you supposed to do/not do?).  Review your ethical obligations as a GAL/child representative.  Learn how to connect with the child and establish/ maintain their confidence during your representation.
Steven E. Wasko, Steponate & Wasko, Ltd., Park Ridge

10:30 – 10:45                    Break

10:45 – 11:30                    Interviewing Children:  How to get Reliable Information from Children you Interview
Learn specific skills for interviewing children, focusing on techniques that will increase children’s communication with you and increase the likelihood of obtaining trustworthy information.
Dr. Sol Rappaport, Ph.D, ABPP, Counseling Connections, Libertyville

11:30 – 12:15                   Connecting with the Child and/or the Parents: Conducting the Initial Interviews
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Learn about the three C’s for interviewing children, parents and collaterals: Confidentiality, Control & Camaraderie.  Understand the delicate balancing act required in order to effectively connect with interviewees, and get tips for successfully conducting interviews in our "virtual world.
Mary T. Doheny, Law Offices of Wessel & Doheny, Chicago

12:15 – 12:45                      Lunch Break

12:45 – 1:15                   Structuring and Scheduling Parenting Time
How do you structure visitation orders and determine who should get what time (including grandparents)? Understand the “25 mile” question as well as other issues that complicate schedules.
Jacalyn Birnbaum, Birnbaum, Haddon, Gelfman & Arnoux, LLC, Chicago

1:15 – 2:00                        Best Practices for Appearing in Court and Other Tips from the Trenches
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Learn about duties pursuant to the 900 Series, including settlement efforts; how and when to issue reports or memoranda, and timing issues related thereto; and other discretionary matters.
Janet L. Mazurek, Law Offices of Janet L. Mazurek, P.C., Barrington
Bella Maria Rappaport, Law Office of Bella Maria Rappaport, Bannockburn

2:00 – 2:30                        Guardian Ad Litem Fees
(0.5 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Learn the statutory requirements for billing and tips for keeping your GAL bills current.
Lisa M. Nyuli, Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C., South Elgin

2:30 – 3:45                         Break

2:45 -- 3:45                        Litigation and its Impact on Children
How does litigation impact children and what can litigators do to make the process easier for the adolescent client?  Learn how to keep children out of the courtroom, avoid an in-camera, and help keep kids out of the middle of the dispute.  Understand how to help achieve affected children’s desires and goals.
Joel J. Levin, Levin & Associates, Chicago
Howard P. Rosenberg, Law Offices of Howard P. Rosenberg, Northbrook

3:45 – 445                        Judges’ Panel
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Hear what family law judges think should – and should not – be included in your report.  Learn what they do with the report and get tips for improving your reports.          
Panel Moderator: Paulette M. Gray, Gray & Gray LLC, Crystal Lake 
Hon. René Cruz, Presiding Judge, Family Division, Kane County Circuit Court, St. Charles 
Hon. Richard D. Felice, 18th Judicial Circuit Court, Wheaton
Hon. Carey C. Gill, 1st Judicial Circuit Court, Marion   
Hon. Jeffrey L. Hirsch, 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, McHenry County, Woodstock 
Hon. Lori Rosen, Cook County Circuit Court, Chicago 
Joel J. Levin, Levin & Associates, Chicago 
Jennifer J. Wood, Wood Law, P.C., Plainfield 

4:45                                     Adjourn Day 1

 

Day Two – Hot Topics Affecting the Child Rep/GAL Practice (3.25 hours)

9:00 – 9:30                        Case Law Update: What’s New in Cases Involving Families & Children?
Michael S. Strauss, Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC, Libertyville

9:30 – 10:15                      The Impact of Mental Health Confidentiality and 607 of the IMDMA on Your Case   
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Identify the definitions, restrictions, and allowances of the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act as well as Section 607 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.
Jonathan D. Nye, Nye Law Group, Ltd., Fox River Grove

10:15 – 10:30                    Break

10:30 – 11:00                    Resources Available to the Child Rep/GAL
Understand how to obtain and utilize school records, medical and mental health records, criminal background checks, DCFS records, subpoenas, and other third-party information. Learn unorthodox methods of gathering information to assist you in your role.
Denise M. Kuzniewski, Law Office of Denise M. Kuzniewski, McHenry

11:00 – 11:45                    Specialized Issues: Cases Involving Special Needs Children, Minors with Mental Illness, and Adults with Disabilities
Learn about the unique attention that family law cases involving special needs children or adults require from Child Reps and GALs, along with distinctive approaches and different interventions that may vary from those used in traditional appointments by the Court.
Jennifer J. Wood, Wood Law, P.C., Plainfield

11:45 – 12:30                    Mental Health Evaluators Panel
(0.75 Professional Responsibility Credit)
Learn the differences between 215 and 604 evaluations, understand what types of testing are currently involved in custody evaluations and how those results are handled, and gain new perspectives on the value of the evaluation process and its role in informing the court.
Dr. Sharon Z. Johnson, PhD, Pediatric Consultation Center and Associates, Deerfield
Dr. Mark Mosk, PhD, Dr. Mosk Consulting, Highland Park

12:30                                   Adjourn