Course ID: 20687 | Course Duration: 1 Day

The Art of Representing Children Training Class

Course ID: 20687

The Art of Representing Children Training Seminar

Gain Strategies for Effective Child Advocacy

Do you know what your legal duties are when representing a child? Do you know how to make the legal process as painless as possible while getting honest and consistent information from children clients? Attend this seminar to explore the inner workings of the child's mind and your role as his/her legal representative. You'll learn the secrets to effective communication, preventing testimony contamination, evidence exceptions and more. Go beyond "best interests" to expertly advocate for your child client. Register today!

Understand your legal role and responsibilities to be an effective advocate for children clients.
Overcome communication barriers and build trust with tips from the pros based on developmental stages and family history.
Use the factors involved in the "Best Interests of the Child" standard to successfully influence court decisions.
Encourage a team approach to the legal process, using key strategies for working with other parties in the custody mix.
Debunk evaluation bias by knowing what to look for in reports and what rebuttal evidence to introduce.
Prevent testimony contamination when interviewing children through careful observation of proper protocol.
Learn how to break down difficult ideas and questions to avoid miscommunication and get accurate responses.
Prove your case with evidence only admissible under unique child-related exceptions to the rules.
Discuss how to compassionately counsel your client without ethically crossing the line.


	Agenda
	PRIMER ON COMMUNICATING WITH CHILDREN 9:00 - 10:00 Sandra Wirtel Developmental Timeline and Issues How Children Differ From Adult Clients Developing Trust and Rapport With a Child Client Special Considerations for Victims of Abuse or Neglect Top 10 Communication Tips GUARDIAN AD LITEM: ROLE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 10:15 - 11:15 Scott E. Wasserman Representing the Best Interests of the Child Legal Authority and Duties Prohibited Conduct Handling Cultural Differences The Guardian Ad Litem as Mediator Conclusion of Service THE ATTORNEY'S ROLE IN REPRESENTING A CHILD 11:15 - 12:15 Susan D. Szczucinski State and Federal Guidelines for Representing Child Clients Understanding the Custody Evaluator's Procedures and Potential for Bias Legal Strategies to Rebut Biased Evidence The Role of Social Service Agencies and Their Interaction With the Attorney Strategies for Working With Other Parties in the Custody Mix The Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) Petitioning the Court for Removal of the Guardian Ad Litem INTERVIEWING A CHILD 1:15 - 1:45 Cheryl Marquardt Proper Protocol for Child Interviews Your Right to be Present When Your Child Client is Being Questioned Key Considerations for the Setting, Word Choice and Questioning Methods Minimizing Questioning Breaking Down Difficult Ideas and Rephrasing Questions Admissibility of Child Testimony CHILDREN IN THE COURTROOM 1:15 - 2:15 Cheryl Marquardt Evidentiary Issues Unique to Children's Cases Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule During Child Welfare Proceedings Should Children be Involved in Courtroom Proceedings? Preparing a Child Witness for the Stand TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS 2:30 - 3:40 Cheryl Marquardt Grounds for Terminating Parental Rights Jurisdictional Considerations Termination Procedures and Requirements "No Reasonable Efforts" Motion: Bypassing Reunification Efforts Conditional Surrender Statutes: Ambiguities and Legal Interpretation THE ETHICAL REPRESENTATION OF CHILDREN 3:40 - 4:30 Scott E. Wasserman Maintaining a Professional Attorney-Client Relationship Perceptions of the Child's Best Interests Confidentiality Reporting Abuse and Neglect Attorney's Fees