I recently attended guardian ad litem (GAL) training in Brown County, sponsored by the Brown County family court judges and court commissioners.

This was an extremely beneficial way for the guardians ad litem in Brown County to get a start on getting their required GAL CLE credits prior to accepting appointments, which include three hours on family violence issues.

This type of program may benefit other counties as well. The court put together this four-hour CLE training, which included three hours of family violence training and an additional hour of general GAL training.

Training: Putting Yourself in Their Shoes

Amber Peterson, circuit court policy and procedures advisor at Wisconsin Supreme Court Office of Court Operations, was the featured presenter. Peterson put together a three-hour presentation on understanding domestic violence within the family. She made available to the GALs the handbook Domestic Abuse Guidebook for Wisconsin Guardians ad Litem. This handbook was put together by the joint project of the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin.

The handbook includes a four-step approach to screening for abuse:

• identify domestic abuse;

• define the nature and context of abuse;

• evaluate the implications of the abuse; and

• make informed recommendations that account for domestic abuse.

The presentation began with participant involvement with each GAL allotted a certain amount of money, specific places to go, and costs associated with decisions to leave a domestic abuse situation. It was a very powerful dynamic for participants to truly understand the difficult choices people must make when deciding to leave a violent situation.

Peterson also gave an overview of the multiple dynamics of family violence, including nonphysical and coercive control. Mental, emotional, and financial power and control are all elements of the family violence dynamic.

Perspectives from the Bench

An always extra-special addition to this presentation was a perspective from the bench. The family court judges and commissioners held a roundtable discussion of what they are looking for in a GAL recommendation. Each discussed the importance of providing specific information to the court that can be backed by witness testimony. The court is tasked with making the difficult decisions for families and benefits from as much information as possible to aid in the decision-making process.

I would like to thank Judge Thomas G. Walsh for presiding over this CLE program. It is imperative that judges, court commissioners, and senior attorneys promote professionalism with each other.

Near the conclusion of the presentation, the more experienced guardians ad litem provided a question and answer presentation to the group as a whole. The members had an opportunity to ask questions relating to complex issues that present themselves in this difficult area of law. All participants were able to gain knowledge form others who may have experience similar issues.

Worth the Time

This CLE program was touted by the attendees as extremely helpful. I have had other family law attorneys tell me they would like to see this type of training for all the members of the family law bar. I hope other counties can use this as a place to start when looking for local CLE opportunities.

This article was originally published on the State Bar of Wisconsin Senior Lawyers Division Blog of Experience. Visit the State Bar Divisions page or the Senior Lawyers Division webpage to learn more about division membership.