2026 3-hour Guardian ad Litem training

9-9:53 a.m. | The ethics of serving as a GAL (qualifies for 1.0 ethics)
Originally presented at our 2025 MOSOLO Small Firm Conference
This program will help lawyers understand their ethical obligations when serving as a guardian ad litem by comparing and contrasting selected Standards with Comments for Guardians ad Litem in Juvenile and Family Court Division Matters and Rules of Professional Conduct. This program will apply those provisions through a variety of scenarios.

Learning objectives:

• The role of the GAL ethically.
• Communications when acting as a GAL.
• Confidentiality when acting as a GAL.

Speakers: Cassie J. Bugalski, Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, LLC, Moberly; Melinda J. Bentley, Office of Legal Ethics Counsel & Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri, Jefferson City

9:53-9:58 a.m. | Break

9:58-10:51 a.m. | Special education practice: Law tips (qualifies for 1.0 ethics, 1.0 elimination of bias)
Originally presented at our 2025 Family Law Conference
Children are legally entitled to protections under the law for services, accommodations and school discipline including behavioral/mental health, neurodiversity-autism spectrum disorder and physical disabilities. Practical strategizes will be reviewed to represent the interests of children with special education needs including testing, referrals for services and "red flag" situations that warrant advocacy.

Learning objectives:

• IEP's and 504 Plans are legal protections for children.
• Creating meaningful accommodations and services for children in our courts and at school.
• Caselaw update, including AJT covering services and discrimination for children in schools and in government-funded programs.

Speakers: Julia A. Chaney-Faughn, Cruse Chaney-Faughn, PC, Hannibal; Melinda Oswald, Oswald Advocacy LLC, Booneville

10:51-10:56 a.m. | Break

10:56-11:48 a.m. | Counseling theory for lawyers
Originally presented at our 2025 Family Law Conference
Lawyers and Judges regularly require family members to engage in counseling or therapy during or after litigation. This presentation will provide an overview of the various licensures available in Missouri, counseling theories often used by counselors or therapists working with families in conflict, and factors that impact positive outcomes. A greater understanding of the therapeutic process and collaboration between the legal system and the therapeutic system will support positive outcomes for families.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the Missouri laws and regulations that govern the people providing mental health services including the different educational requirements for the various licenses.
• Explore how a person’s willingness to change impacts the therapeutic process and the role a legal professional can play in supporting a client’s willingness to change.
• Learn about evidence-based counseling theories that are often utilized to help individuals, families, and parents in conflict.

Speaker: Jill M. Katz, Jill M. Katz, LLC, Kansas City

11:48 a.m. | Adjourn

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.