Role of GAL/CR – Start to Finish
Thursday, September 11 -- Friday, September 12, 2014
10.0 CLE Hour (including 2 ethics)
September 11, 2014 (Day 1)
8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Registration
8:45 – 9:00 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Donna Jo Vorderstrasse, Presiding Judge of the Family Division
9:00 – 9:30 Distinction Between GAL, Attorney for the Child and Child’s Rep
Marc Fisher of Katz, Goldstein and Warren
9:30 – 10:00 The Role of the Parenting Coordinator, Rebecca J. Whitcombe
10:00 – 10:15 BREAK
10:15 – 11:45 The Interview Process
a. Participants: David Gates, Mark Mosk
b. Specifics:
i. How to interview/Where to interview
ii. Types of people to interview
1. Parties (individual/joint)
2. Kids
3. Collaterals
4. Professionals
iii. Family Dynamic – parenting/co-parenting
11:45 – 12:30 LUNCH
12:30 – 1:15 Confidentiality between therapists, child, GAL/CR
Jennifer Cunningham Beeler
1:15 – 1:30 BREAK
2:00 – 3:00 Domestic Violence Issues
Dr. Sol Rappaport
2:00 – 3:00 Special Needs Presentation
Micki Moran and Carlton Marcyan
- Family dynamic – parenting/co-parenting dynamics
- Children of special needs
September 12, 2014 (Day 2)
Registration – 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
9:00 – 10:00 The Investigation Process of GAL/CR
a. Participants: Neal Takiff and Bob Ackley and Linda Sheehan
b. Specifics:
i. Home visits
ii. School visits
iii. Verification
10:00 – 10:15 BREAK
10:15 – 12:00 PANEL: The Litigation Aspect of GAL/CR
Gary Schlesinger, Sally Lichter, Amy Gertler and Honorable Jane D. Waller
a. Specifics:
i. Discovery
ii. Depositions
iii. Trial preparation
iv. Trial participation
v. Objections/Children’s hearsay statements
12:00 – 12:45 LUNCH
12:45 – 1:15 GAL/CR Fees
Patricia L. Cornell
1:15 – 1:45 Case Law Update, Mike Strauss
1:45 – 2:00 BREAK
2:00 – 3:00 Judge’s Panel
What information in report and pre-trial memo
Participation of GAL/CR during litigation
