Assistant public defender in Adams County appointed to committee on guardian ad litem education

ADAMS COUNTY, Ill. — The Supreme Court of Illinois Judicial College Board of Trustees has appointed Adams County Assistant Public Defender/Guardian Ad Litem Kent Dean to the Illinois Judicial College Committee on Guardian Ad Litem Education .

This statewide committee primarily provides educational opportunities, training and best practices for Illinois judges hearing juvenile protection matters. Members are nominated by their peers in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of best practices and education in the field of child welfare. Appointees typically serve two three-year terms.

Dean has served as an assistant public defender for Adams County since January 2020. His primary role is that of guardian ad litem – advocating for children in DCFS care following court intervention and working closely with Child Advocate Special Appointee (CASA) volunteers.

Dean previously spent 13 years in private practice in Cook County and seven years as a Cook County assistant public defender. He also worked in social welfare in Cook County while attending law school. From 2012 through 2019, he helped provide training opportunities in this area of law with the Illinois Parent Attorney Network. He is a previous recipient of the Chicago-based Family Defense Center’s “Family Defender” award.