This seminar is an online rebroadcast of a previously recorded program. To participate, you listen and view online.
Originally presented on January 17, 2020
9:00 – 9:50 AM | Ethics When Serving as a GAL
This program compares the Rules of Professional Conduct with the Standards with Comments for Guardians ad Litem in Juvenile and Family Court Division Matters to assist attorneys with ethical issues unique to GALS.
Speakers: Susan Appelquist, Appelquist Law Offices, Mt. Vernon, and Melinda J. Bentley, Legal Ethics Counsel, Jefferson City
9:50 – 10:40 AM | The Role of GALs in Child Abuse / Neglect Cases
This program outlines the life of a Child Abuse/Neglect case, describes the role of the GAL and other parties at each stage, and provides helpful practice pointers for successful GAL representation.
Speaker: J.C. Weyand, Attorney and Chief Juvenile Officer, 10th Judicial Circuit, Hannibal
10:40 – 11:30 AM | High Conflict Cases: What is our role?
What is the role of a GAL in a high conflict case? This session examines this question and how to fulfill that role while fulfilling your duty to the Court and advocating for your child client’s best interest.
Speaker: Nicholas E. Mebruer, The Mebruer Law Firm, LLC, Lebanon
11:30 AM | Adjourn
Moderators:
NOV 6 | Theodore E. Liszewski, Liszewski Law Firm LLC, Sikeston
DEC 3 | Kevin L. Barnes, Attorney at Law, St. Louis
| 9:00 AM - Ethics When Serving as a GAL (7.8 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 9:50 AM - The Role of GALs in Child Abuse Neglect Cases (757.7 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 10:40 AM - High Conflict Cases - What is our role (3.5 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Faculty Bios (144.5 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| MCLE Form (102.8 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| MOLAP Information (215 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Important Information for Attorneys Seeking Kansas Credit (58.6 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
Susan Appelquist graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a J.D. in May, 1979. Susan has practiced Law in Mt. Vernon, MO for 40 years, concentrating on probate and family law. Susan is a member of the Missouri Supreme Court Advisory Committee and serves as vice-president.
Melinda J. Bentley serves as Legal Ethics Counsel in Missouri where she provides oral and written informal advisory opinions to attorneys on issues related to the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct. In that position, she also serves as administrator and counsel to the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri. She began serving in that position in 2012. Prior to that she worked for the Illinois State Bar Association as Assistant Counsel from 2001-03, First Assistant Counsel from 2003-11, and Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs from 2009-11. She is a frequent speaker and author on professional responsibility matters. Ms. Bentley currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Planning Committee for the American Bar Association (ABA) Center for Professional Responsibility’s National Conference on Professional Responsibility, and is a member of the ABA Professionalism Committee, the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility Coordinating Council, the Planning Committee for The Missouri Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference, and the National Organization of Bar Counsel’s Committees on Amicus, Website, and Program. She was a board member and officer of the National Organization of Bar Counsel from 2015-2020, including a term as President from 2018-2019, and formerly served on the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility (2020-2023), Editorial Board of the ABA/BNA Lawyers’ Manual on Professional Conduct as a member (2015-2016) and Chair (2016-2018), as well as a member of the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility Coordinating Council (2016-2018). She is licensed in both Missouri and Illinois, and is a member of The Missouri Bar, Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Organization of Bar Counsel, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Cole County Bar Association, and Mid-Missouri Women Lawyers’ Association.
Nicholas Edward Mebruer was born and raised in Lebanon, Missouri. He graduated the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law and was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1995. A solo practitioner in The Mebruer Law Firm, P.C., in Lebanon, he focuses primarily on family law. The majority of his practice is dedicated to representing children in foster care in Camden and Laclede County, as well as contested custody cases in the 25th, 26th and 30th Circuits. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri State University in 1989 and formerly served as a senior analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He has served terms as president and treasurer of the Laclede County Bar Association and is an active member of the 26th Circuit Bar Association. He is a member of Rotary International and past chairman of the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, Board of Directors. He and his wife, Emily, are raising four adopted children, ages 16, 15, 14 and 12. He is a freelance sports photographer for KY3’s Ozarks Sports Zone and ZouNation Magazine.
