As guardianship cases are becoming more contentious and contested cases have become more frequent in recent years, guardians ad litem must be aware of potential conflicts of interest and be able to maintain professional objectivity, particularly in contested cases, which usually are emotionally charged. Our faculty, including a judges panel, will discuss the statutory changes as they apply in contested guardianship cases as well as some useful techniques. 
  • Compare representing the interests of the respondent as a GAL to serving as the respondent’s attorney
  • Ask a judges panel about the challenges they often see in guardianship cases
  • Explore when a GAL should request that independent counsel be appointed for a respondent
  • Discuss techniques that GALs use to communicate effectively with persons with diminished capacity
  • Review how the rules of professional conduct concerning communicating with represented and unrepresented persons affect the GAL’s investigation of the guardianship petition

FACULTY

Hon. Paul A. Dryer, City of Waynesboro Circuit Court / Waynesboro
Hon. Mary Jane Hall, Norfolk Circuit Court / Norfolk
Hon. Tania M.L. Saylor, Fairfax Circuit Court / Fairfax
Samantha S. Fredieu, Hale Ball / Fairfax
Virginia C. Haizlip, McCandlish Lillard / Fairfax
Beth Norton, Norton Health Law, PC / Charlottesville
Lelia Winget-Hernandez, Commonwealth Life & Legacy Counsel, a Winget-Hernandez PC Company / Troy

MODERATORS

Cary Z. Cucinelli, Cucinelli Geiger, PC / Fairfax
Valerie B. Geiger, Cucinelli Geiger, PC / Fairfax
Neal L. Walters, Scott | Kroner, PLC / Charlottesville

REGISTER

Tuesday, June 13, 10:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. ET

  • Live Webcast
  • Live Telephone
  • Live on Site at the Bobzien-Gaither Education Center in Richmond/Innsbrook
    4801 Cox Road, Suite 108
    Glen Allen, VA 23060

Tuesday, August 22, 1:00–4:15 p.m. ET

  • Webcast with Live Q&A
  • Telephone with Live Q&A

MCLE Credit: 3.0 (Ethics: 1.0) Pending
Live-Interactive Credit: 3.0 Pending
GAL for Incapacitated Persons CE Credit: 3.0
Designation Credit: 1.0 Ethics

View Registration Fees (VAELA members save $20 on registration)

Interested in attending this program in person, live on site?

The Bobzien-Gaither Education Center in Richmond/Innsbrook is our new state-of-the-art facility designed with your safety in mind. It features a Centurion air filtration system, which quickly and effectively eliminates viruses and bacteria. Additionally, the facility is thoroughly cleaned before each seminar, and face masks and hand sanitizer will be available.