Continuing Legal Education: Topics and Trainings for Attorneys

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Advokids is a California State Bar-approved continuing legal education (CLE) provider that focuses its training courses exclusively on juvenile dependency law. California Rules of Court, rule 5.660 requires attorneys representing parties in dependency proceedings to have at least eight hours of training and education before they may represent a party in a dependency case and to complete at least eight hours of dependency law-related continuing education every three years. Advokids provides individual online participatory legal courses eligible for MCLE credit as well as virtual and virtual trainings tailored to the needs of the audience of each course.

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Online MCLE Courses Currently Available:

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2025 Dependency Update: Cases, Legislation, and Rules of Court

A review and analysis of the appellate decisions published in 2025 interpreting various aspects of juvenile dependency law, as well as the amendments and additions to the statutory scheme California Rules of Court. Provides 1.5 hours of California MCLE credit and will help attorneys meet the continuing education requirement of rule 5.660 of the Rules of Court.

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Dependency 101: The Basics of Juvenile Dependency Law, 4th Edition

This course offers 8 hours of California MCLE credit, including 0.5 hours of ethics credit.  This training covers basic dependency law and procedure for attorneys new to dependency law or those seeking a refresher course. Organized around each stage of a dependency case, this course covers the issues that regularly arise and the procedures that apply at each stage. Attorneys are introduced to the statutes, rules of court, and case law applicable to dependency proceedings. We will touch on child development issues, what constitutes child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues. We will also address family reunification and preservation, reasonable services, and the importance and impact of these issues within the child welfare system.  This training satisfies the California Rule of Court §5.660(d)(3) eight-hour training requirement for attorneys representing parties in juvenile dependency court.

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2024 Dependency Update: Cases, Legislation, and Rules of Court

This course provides 2.25 hours of California MCLE credit and satisfies 2.25 hours of the continuing education requirements for dependency attorneys required by rule 5.660(d)(3).  This course offers a discussion of 2024 appellate decisions, legislation, and rules of court affecting juvenile dependency law.

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Guardians ad Litem for Parents in Dependency Proceedings

This course offers 1.0 hour of MCLE credit.  The course covers the statutory and case law applicable to the powers and duties of guardians ad litem appointed for an incompetent parent or nonminor dependent in juvenile dependency cases in California.

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2023 Dependency Update: Cases, Statutes, and Rules of Court

A review of 2023 developments in California dependency law.  Discusses statutory changes and new and amended rules of court effective January 1, 2024, as well as published cases from the California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal addressing and interpreting the statutory framework.  This course will provide 2.0 hours of California MCLE credit and satisfies 2.0 hours of the continuing education requirements for dependency attorneys required by rule 5.660(d)(3).

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Representing the Child in Juvenile Dependency Proceedings

This course covers the legal and practice standards for attorneys representing children in dependency proceedings as well as substantive legal issues the attorney should be prepared to address. This course offers 2.25 hours of MCLE, including 1.0 hour of ethics credit. This course satisfies 2.25 hours of the continuing education credits required by rule 5.660(d)(3) for dependency attorneys.

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De Facto Parent Representation: An Emerging Specialty

This course offers 1.5 MCLE credit. It covers the legal foundations for de facto parent status in juvenile dependency cases; the applicable case law and rule of court defining de facto parents status; procedures for applying for de facto parent status; the legal rights of de facto parents; discovery and confidentiality issues; terminating de facto parent status; and legal issues that commonly arise in de facto parent representation and how the attorney for the de facto parent can address those issues.

Please contact Advokids if you are interested in scheduling an in person or live video training for your specific group or organization.

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Contact Advokids

5643 Paradise Drive, Suite 12B
Corte Madera, CA 94925

11833 Mississippi Ave., 1st floor
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Helpline Intake Form

415.924.0587

 

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