Course Description/Goals:

The Nuts and Bolts (including interviewing children) & Conflicts of Interest by Johanna Kleppe and Julie Levy
This foundational session provides attorneys and mental health professionals with a comprehensive overview of the essential functions, expectations, and legal parameters of serving as Minor’s Counsel in family law proceedings. Participants will learn how appointments are made, how to initiate and conduct developmentally appropriate interviews with children, and how to identify and responsibly navigate conflicts of interest. The class also covers the scope of Minor’s Counsel’s rights and responsibilities, including access to the child-client and the child’s records, communication protocols with parties and professionals, and practical strategies for maintaining child-centered representation. This course establishes the structural and legal framework upon which all advanced Minor’s Counsel practice builds.
 

Special Needs Children and Parents by Dene Carroll and Larkin O'Leary with Common Ground Society
This session focuses on the unique considerations involved in representing children and families with special needs, including those who are neurodivergent, have developmental delays, physical or cognitive disabilities, or mental health conditions. Participants will explore how different diagnoses and functional profiles can affect a child’s communication style, emotional regulation, decision-making capacity, and
ability to participate in the legal process. The class also addresses how parental special needs may impact family dynamics, safety assessments, and case strategy. Practical guidance will be provided on adapting interviews, building rapport with children who process information differently, working collaboratively with treatment providers, and ensuring that representation remains both effective and developmentally appropriate.
 

Court's Expectations of Minor's Counsel by Comm. Megan Amaral and Judge Patel Crocker
In this session, two experienced family law judges will provide an inside perspective on the court’s expectations of Minor’s Counsel. The presenters will explain what information is most useful to the court, how counsel can effectively communicate their client’s needs, and the standards of preparation, professionalism, and courtroom conduct judges rely on when evaluating counsel’s performance. The class will also address best practices for submitting reports or recommendations, meeting deadlines, collaborating with other professionals, and ensuring that the child’s voice is accurately and appropriately represented. This candid discussion offers participants the opportunity to understand how judges assess Minor’s Counsel’s work and how counsel can meet — and exceed — those expectations.
 

Ethical Considerations in Minor Representation by Robin Estes and Judge Kinna Patel Crocker

This session provides an in-depth exploration of the ethical challenges unique to serving as Minor’s Counsel. Participants will examine common and complex issues such as conflicts of interest, implicit bias, and the importance of maintaining neutrality while still engaging in zealous, child-centered advocacy. The course will address handling discovery, managing and protecting Minor’s Counsel’s own work materials, and understanding the boundaries surrounding “ex parte” communications. Special attention will be given to the ethical risks that arise when representing multiple children within the same family, as well as the potential professional consequences, including sanctions, for failing to adhere to ethical and procedural standards. Through discussion and practical examples, this class equips participants with the tools and best practices needed to make ethically sound decisions in difficult or ambiguous situations.
 

Effective Report Writing and Confidentiality by A. Peter Trombetta
This session focuses on the essential skills and legal requirements involved in preparing written reports as Minor’s Counsel. Participants will learn how to structure a clear, well-organized report that effectively communicates the child’s needs, relevant observations, and the basis for any recommendations. The course will also cover proper procedures for sealing reports, ensuring that confidential and sensitive information is protected while still providing the court with the information it needs to make informed decisions. Instruction will include practical guidance on distinguishing between information that must be disclosed and communications that must remain confidential, as well as strategies for presenting complex or delicate material in a way judges can easily understand and rely upon.
 

Secondary Trauma and Its Impact on Practice by First Responders
This session addresses the issue of secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and the emotional impact that exposure to difficult family situations can have on professionals in the child-welfare and family law systems. Drawing from the perspective of first responders and trauma-informed practitioners, the class will explore how repeated exposure to disclosures of abuse, conflict, and crisis can affect judgment, communication, and overall well-being. Although the specific content will be shaped by the presenting experts, participants can expect to learn about the signs of secondary trauma, the ways in which stress can subtly influence advocacy or decision-making, and strategies for maintaining professional resilience.
 

Understanding Stress and Building Resilience by Julie Levy and Robin Estes
This session examines the pervasive role of stress in the work of Minor’s Counsel and its measurable physiological impacts on the body’s major systems, including cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine, and immune functioning. Using data collected from the recent stress poll conducted within our professional community, participants will gain insight into how stress manifests in this field and how common these experiences are among peers. The class will then move into practical tools and techniques for managing stress effectively, including boundary-setting strategies, daily stress-reduction practices, and approaches for maintaining long-term emotional and physical well-being. Emphasis will be placed on realistic, sustainable techniques that can be inte

Alcohol and Drug Testing Tools--Understanding Soberlink and Its Impact on Visitation by Jason Sweetman with Soberlink
This session, presented by Soberlink representatives, provides an in-depth look at modern alcohol and drug monitoring technology and its application within family law cases. Participants will learn how Soberlink testing works, including its reliability features, reporting structure, real-time monitoring capabilities, and safeguards against tampering. The presenters will explain how test results are used in court, how
monitoring programs can influence parenting time and visitation decisions, and how these tools can support child safety while facilitating meaningful parent–child contact. This course offers practical insights to help Minor’s Counsel understand when such monitoring may be appropriate, how to interpret reports, and how the system can benefit clients by promoting accountability, reducing conflict, and providing objective data for the court.

grated into a typical workweek.

Parents with Mental Illness--Impacts on Custody and Visitation by Laura Capinas
This session explores the wide range of mental health conditions that parents may experience and how these conditions can affect custody, visitation, safety, and parent–child dynamics. Participants will learn about common diagnoses encountered in family law cases—such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, trauma-related conditions, and psychotic disorders—and how symptoms may influence parenting capacity, decision-making, consistency, communication, and co-parenting. The class will also address how to gather and interpret relevant mental health information, how to differentiate between
manageable symptoms and true safety risks, and how to approach cases where a parent’s mental illness intersects with substance use, domestic conflict, or treatment noncompliance. Practical strategies will be provided to help Minor’s Counsel navigate these complexities while maintaining neutrality, supporting child safety, and promoting realistic, appropriate parenting plans.
 

Shedding Light on Implicit Bias and LGBTQIA Issues in Family Law by Beki Berrey
In the first half of this training, we will discuss implicit biases. I will explain how shedding light on them is our best chance for awareness in our decision-making process. In the second half of this training we will discuss some frequently used LGBTQIA+ terminology including pronouns as well as issues that arise in our family law cases, and especially the importance of family acceptance.
 

Emergency Ex Parte Filings--When to File and When to Oppose as Minors Counsel by Kate Mullins Henderson
This session provides guidance for Minor’s Counsel on navigating emergency ex parte filings in family law cases. Participants will learn the circumstances under which filing an emergency ex parte motion is appropriate, including identifying urgent risks to the child’s safety or well-being. The class will also cover strategies for assessing and responding when an opposing party seeks emergency relief, including how to evaluate the merits of the request, protect the child’s interests, and advocate effectively within the short timelines imposed by the court. Emphasis will be placed on ethical considerations, procedural requirements, documentation, and balancing urgency with thoughtful decision-making. Realistic examples and best practices will be provided to ensure participants can confidently determine when to initiate or oppose
emergency actions.