2025 Guardianship Proceedings for Appointed Counsel and Civil Commitment Conferences

Registration for the 2025 Guardianship Proceedings for Appointed Counsel and Civil Commitment Conferences, co-sponsored by the School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: Both conferences will be held in-person at the School of Government in Chapel Hill and are open to public defenders, appellate defenders, and private attorneys representing respondents in civil commitment and guardianship proceedings.

The Guardianship Proceedings for Appointed Counsel conference is scheduled for Thursday, January 16.

• Topics will include client competency determinations; recent statutory changes and what they mean for GALs; challenges faced by GALs and how to approach them; and the ethical duties (and dilemmas) common in this work.

The Civil Commitment Conference is scheduled for Friday, January 17.

• Topics will include reviewing the nuts and bolts of effective representation in IVC proceedings; client mental health and capacity; defense counsel’s responsibilities after a hearing is finished (including appeals); and what to expect in this practice with E-Courts.

We will announce the final agendas at a later date, closer to the programs.

FEE: The registration fee for private assigned and managed assigned counsel is $175 for the Guardianship Proceedings for Appointed Counsel Conference and $175 for the Civil Commitment Conference. There is no fee for IDS state employees.

SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of scholarships are available for private assigned and managed assigned counsel. If you are interested in applying, complete the application linked below for the respective program you are seeking a scholarship for:

• Guardianship Proceedings at Appointed Counsel Scholarship – Apply here
• Civil Commitment Conference Scholarship – Apply here

You must apply and receive approval for a scholarship before registering. Please apply as soon as possible. Scholarships are awarded no later than two weeks after application submission. The scholarship application deadline for both trainings is Friday, January 3.

REGISTRATION: Register for the Guardianship Proceedings for Appointed Counsel conference here.

Register for the Civil Commitment Conference here.

The registration deadline for both trainings is 5:00 pm on Friday, January 10.

Please explore our list of frequently asked questions if you encounter any registration issues. You may also contact our registration team at [email protected] or (919) 966-4414.

CLE CREDIT: Agendas have not been finalized and are pending bar approval, but at this time we anticipate the Guardianship Proceedings for Appointed Counsel conference will offer 5.25 hours of CLE, including 1.0 hour ethics credit.

Agendas have not been finalized and are pending bar approval, but at this time we anticipate the Civil Commitment Conference will offer 5.00 hours of CLE, including 1.0 hour ethics credit.

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT—IDS STATE EMPLOYEES ONLY: Contact Shannon Simmons, IDS Accounts Payable Supervisor, at [email protected] or (919) 890-1660. Please note that travel reimbursement forms must be submitted to IDS Financial Services by the end of the month following the travel, or reimbursement will be denied.

HOTEL: A block of rooms is available at the Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill hotel (1742 Fordham Blvd Chapel Hill, NC) for $106 plus tax. This rate includes a complimentary breakfast, parking, and free wi-fi. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel at (984) 291-7200 and ask for room block “904” or “Guardianship & Civil Commitment.” The reservation deadline is Friday, December 20.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We look forward to seeing you in January. If you have any questions or need further information, contact Program Manager Kayla Fowler at [email protected]. If you have questions regarding the content, please contact Timothy Heinle, Teaching Assistant Professor, at [email protected].