Representation of Children as a Guardian Ad Litem—2025 Qualifying Course

Why Attend?

• This is the training course you MUST take to qualify as a GAL for Children in Virginia.

This program is supported by the Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia, through federal grant funds of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To be appointed as a guardian ad litem for children in Virginia, members of the Virginia State Bar must meet the standards set forth by the Judicial Council of Virginia. This seven-hour course meets the training requirement under these standards. All attorneys who wish to qualify for court appointment as GALs for children in Virginia must take this course.

For more information on becoming a GAL for children in Virginia, please contact the Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia, 100 North Ninth Street, Third Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 786-6455 or visit this website:

https://www.vacourts.gov/courtadmin/aoc/cip/programs/gal/home

Topics to be covered include:

• Overview of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Law
• Roles, responsibilities, and duties of guardian ad litem representation
• Laws governing child abuse and neglect, foster care case review, termination of parental rights, and entrustments
• Role of social services agencies in handling abuse and neglect cases
• Developmental needs of children
• Characteristics of abusive and neglectful families and of children who are victims; physical, medical, and mental health aspects of child abuse and neglect
• Communication with children; children as witnesses; use of closed-circuit television
• Cultural awareness

Registration Deadlines:

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $40 if you cancel or transfer your registration to a different seminar after the link to the materials has been e-mailed by Virginia CLE^®.

Full refunds or transfers are available up to two days after a webcast in the unlikely event that you experience technical difficulties.

Dietary Restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions and are attending the seminar in person, please email tfitzgerald@vacle.org.

Inclement Weather Policy and Updates.

MCLE Credit Caveat: The MCLE Board measures credits by the time you spend in attendance. If you enter a seminar late or leave it early, or both, you must reflect those adjustments accurately in the credits you report on your credit reporting form. A code will be given at the end of the seminar, which must be written on your MCLE form.

Can’t Attend?

E-mail distance_ed@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program is made available as an online or USB seminar.
E-mail publications@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program’s seminar materials are made available for sale.

Course Schedule

• Q&A will be handled via chat room for Webcast attendees.

Faculty

Hon. Thomas P. Sotelo, Fairfax Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court / Fairfax

Hon. Louis A. Trosch, Jr., Superior Court Judge, 26th Judicial District / Charlotte, NC

Gabbie Cooper, Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond

Beth M. Coyne, Esq., Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond

Karen M. Anderson Holman, Esq., The Law Office of Karen M. Holman, PLLC / Winchester

Rebecca J. Morgan, Middlesex County Department of Social Services / Middlesex County

Melissa O’Neill, State CASA Program, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services / Richmond

Scott Reiner, Office of Children’s Services / Richmond

Marcella Rustiono, Arlington County Child Advocacy Center / Arlington

Dr. Viola Vaughan-Eden, Norfolk State University / Norfolk

Moderator

Sandra L. Karison, Esq., Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond