8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.              Check-in and continental breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.              Welcome & Introductions

Lindsay Moss, Esq., Elville and Associates

9:05 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.            Role of Counsel – Rights of a Disabled Adult – Ethical Considerations

The Honorable Patrick L. Woodward, Court of Special Appeals

Thomas DeGonia, Esq.

Megan Rusciano, Esq.

Key Points:                                         

• Role of Counsel
• Ethical Considerations
• Guidelines & In re Sonny E. Lee
• Effective representation of client with diminished capacity (changes to 1.14 and related rules)
• Other rules: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7
• Supports and accommodations (ABA’s Bill of Rights and national movement towards guardian reform and ensuring adults subject to guardianship retain rights.)

10:20 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.          BREAK

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.          Alternatives to Guardianship of the Person

Megan Rusciano, Esq.

Key Points:

•  Surrogate & Supportive Decision Making
•  Informal Support and Resources available to clients with disabilities or diminished capacity.

Alternatives to Guardianship of the Person

Advance Directives, Powers of Attorney, and Authorization of Specific Transactions

Alexander J. Zarzecki, Esq., Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC                                  

Key Points:

•  Advance Medical Directives
•  Powers of Attorney
•  Authorization of Specific Transaction

Special Needs Planning, ABLE Accounts, and Construction of Powers of Attorney

Jennifer Brandi, Esq.

Key Points:

•  Special Needs Planning
•  ABLE Accounts
•  Construction of Powers of Attorney

Alternatives to Guardianship of the Person – Surrogate Decision Making, Supportive Decision Making, and Informal Support and Resources Available

Megan Rusciano, Esq.

Key Points:

•  Surrogate & Supportive Decision Making
•  Informal Support and Resources available to clients with disabilities or diminished capacity.

12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.          LUNCH

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.            Overview of Guardianship Law in Maryland

Angela B. Grau, Esq., Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC                                 

Key Points:

• Filing the Petition
• Alternatives to guardianship (overview of law vs. options covered later)
• Items between filing petition and the hearing (court appointed attorneys, orientation, etc.)
• The hearing and what may occur
• General role, responsibilities, limitations, and basic competencies required fo guardians (Guideline 2(b))
• Orientation & training required of a guardian
• Reports, Accountings/Inventory
• Bond vs. restricted accounts, etc.
• When to terminate the guardianship
• Fees – Guideline 2(e)
• How guardianship of minors differs – grounds, safeguards/considerations, termination 

1:45 p.m. -2:45 p.m.               Understanding Disabilities and Diminished Capacity

Carole Giunta, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Key Points:

• (Guideline 2(b))
• Identifying diminished capacity
• Clinical versus legal assessments

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.              BREAK

3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.              Representing the  “Alleged Disabled Person”

Barrett King, Esq., King Hall

Key Points:

• Meeting with the client and interested persons
• Assessing capacity assessments (certificates)
• Answer, motions, waivers
• Assessing the appropriateness of a proposed guardians
• Identification of assets
• Less restrictive alternatives (as a defense)
• Ethics, Abuse & Neglect -Types, Signs, what to do, and ethical considerations

4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.              Q&A & Discussion