Please click on the above MCBA Logo above to learn more about the McLean County Bar Association.
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materials
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​The program check-in begins each day at 8:30 a.m.
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The event is located at The Holiday Inn and Conference Center, 8 Traders Circle, Normal, Illinois.

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thank you to our sponsors!

​To find out more about Soberlink and Our Family Wizard, please click on the logo below.
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wednesday & thursday
​October 22 & 23, 2025

Guardian ad Litem ​Certification Seminar
​​[up to 10.5 hrs general CLE credit - approved] 
​​[INCLUDING 1 hour professional responsibility-ethics]
​​[INCLUDING 1 HOUR PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY-mental health]

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As information is updated, the RED links will become available.

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​
Bio's or CV's - press on the RED name​ to view information
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Hon. Jennifer Ascher
​​Hon. Carla Barnes Wheeler
Hon. Dan Cordis
Hon. Victoria Kennison
Nargis Khokhar, JD, MA
​Dr. Kelly Knutson, PsyD
Hon. Mary Koll
​Hon. Scott Kording - updated 10/20
Joseph Lewis, JD
Dr. Nicole Moore
​​Helen Ogar, JD
Todd Roseberry, JD
​Dr. David Thompson, PhD, ABPP
​Hon. Shelly Vescogni

Master of Ceremonies:  Illinois Judicial 11th Circuit

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Materials - press on the RED title​ to view information

GAL Conference Schedule (Day 1) wednesday, October 22, 2025  -  5 hours cle

8:30 a.m. –  9:00 a.m.
​​8.50 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

​10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.


2:45 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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​4:00 p.m.​​​​​​
4:15 p.m.

Registration / Sign-in
Welcome and Announcements
Stuck in the Middle: Kids, Courts, and GALs
​   Presenter: Dr. David Thompson, PhD, ABPP
Morning Break
Stuck in the Middle: Kids, Courts, and GALs - materials listed above
   Presenter: Dr. David Thompson, PhD, ABPP
Lunch (Not Povided)
Sponsors - Our Family Wizzard & SOBERLINK
Monday Morning Quarterback: Problem Solving
​   Panel Discussion - Presenters: Dr. Kelly Knutson, PsyD, Nargis Khokhar, JD, MA, Helen Ogar, JD, and Todd Roseberry, JD
Afternoon Break
BETWEEN SCYLLA & CHARYBDIS: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas for Lawyers Helping Kids
   Presenter: Hon. Scott Kording
Closing Remarks
Happy Hour at The Holiday Inn Lobby area
   Sponsored by McLean County Bar Association

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GAL Conference Schedule (Day 2) thursday, october 23, 2025  -  5.5 hours cle

8:30 a.m. –  9:00 a.m.
​​8.50 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
​ 
10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.


 11:45 - 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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3:00 p.m.​
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

4:15 p.m.

Registration / Sign-in
​​Welcome and Announcements
Autism
   Presenter: Dr. Nicole Moore
Morning Break
GALs: A Judge's Perspective
   Presenters: Hon. Jennifer Ascher, Hon. Dan Cordis, Hon. Victoria Kennison and Hon. Shelly Vescogni
Lunch (Not Povided)
High School in 2025: The More Things Change...
​     Presenters: Joe Lewis, JD 
"The kids were asleep the whole time..." ... and Other Lies GALs May be Told About Family Violence
​     Presenter: Hon. Mary Koll
Afternoon Break
Trauma & Self-Care for GALs - Handout
​   Presenters: Dr. Kelly Knutson, PsyD
Closing Remarks

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