CLE & GAL: WE WANT YOU!!! (To Serve as an Attorney or GAL in Mental Health Involuntary Commitment Hearings)—A Primer on the Acute Mental Health Hearing Process... (Pending Virginia Approval for 1 CLE and Virginia Approved for 1 GAL)

  • Wednesday, October 19, 2022
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Live Interactive Webcast

Registration

  • Member is in good standing for current membership year, July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023.
  • Prospect who is currently not a member of the Alexandria Bar Association.

Registration is closed

WE WANT YOU!!! (To Serve as an Attorney or GAL in Mental Health Involuntary Commitment Hearings)—A Primer on the Acute Mental Health Hearing Process, and the Role of Counsel/GAL that Might be Right for Your Practice (Pending Virginia Approval for 1 CLE and Virginia Approved for 1 GAL)

Learn about the little-known world of mental health involuntary commitments, including the role of counsel for the patient/respondent in adult and juvenile cases and the GAL’s role in juvenile cases.  Whether you are a GAL or an attorney curious about the commitment hearing process or interested in potentially taking on a role as counsel or as GAL, this CLE is right for you.  Presented by Commitment Hearing Special Justice Ellen M. Dague and attorney Aaron S. Book, these practitioners have well over 1,000 involuntary commitment hearings between them and will provide unique insight into the process.

Aaron S. Book
Founding Partner
Webster Book LLP


Aaron S. Book is a founding partner of Webster Book LLP, located in Alexandria, Virginia. He has been named a “Top Lawyer” by Washingtonian Magazine, is listed in the “Best Lawyers in America®,” and also is named a Virginia “SuperLawyer®.” Aaron maintains an active trial practice in both civil and criminal law. In addition to federal and state trial work, Aaron has argued cases before the Virginia Supreme Court. Aaron’s trial practice areas include complex commercial disputes, white collar criminal defense, partnership disputes, real estate disputes, professional malpractice, and general criminal defense.  Recent criminal cases include murder, bank robbery, assault, grand larceny, drug possession, and witness tampering.  Aaron is licensed in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Aaron enjoys taking on court-appointed criminal cases at the state and federal level as well as handling certain matters on a pro bono basis. Aaron serves as a Guardian ad Litem for children in the Arlington and Alexandria courts in custody and foster care matters.  He also focuses on representation of juveniles in criminal matters.  Aaron also is an attorney for individuals with mental health issues subject to the involuntary commitment process and has served in that role in over 450 involuntary commitment hearings.

Prior to forming Webster Book, Aaron spent six years as a trial lawyer with Reed Smith LLP, a large international law firm. Aaron also worked for the U.S. Office of Government Ethics as a management analyst. Aaron received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Virginia, and received his J.D. from William & Mary Law School, where he served as Senior Articles Editor of the William & Mary Law Review. Aaron is a member of Virginia and District of Columbia Bars, The Barristers, the George Mason University American Inn of Court where he was President for the 2013-14 Inn year, the Federal Bar Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Aaron lives with his wife and twins in Washington, DC, and his hobbies include weight training, boxing, and guitar.

Ellen M. Dague

Office Location and Hours

Alexandria Courthouse
The Alexandria Bar Association
520 King Street, Room 202
Alexandria, VA 22314


Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by telephone 703-548-1106 or email at alexbar@alexandriabarva.org