FLEXCOM’s February 2026 Pismo Meeting: Connection, Strategy, and Forward Momentum

By Leslie L Abrigo, CLS-F

FLEXCOM gathered in Pismo Beach in February 2026 for an in-person working meeting focused on alignment, execution, and strengthening the relationships that make our statewide work possible. These meetings are where we move from ideas to action by setting priorities, coordinating across committees, and building the kind of shared momentum that strengthens the Family Law Section’s value for members across California.

Over two days, we focused on strategic planning, education and programming, legislative engagement, communications, and financial sustainability to improve delivering practical value to the over 2800 members of the family law section and supporting high-quality advocacy for families and family law attorneys throughout the state.

What We Worked On

Legislative engagement and practical impact
A majority of our meeting is devoted to addressing new legislation. We spent time on how proposed bills affect the bigger family law community. Our new Standing Committees in the areas of Domestic Abuse and Protective Orders, Tech and Innovation, Support and Financial Issues, and Procedure and Evidence were introduced to why their subject matter expertise is so valuable to Flexcom. Inevitably there is one of these issues that is the focus of new legislation each cycle.

I am also so proud to continue to work alongside our long-standing Adoptions/ART and Juvenile Dependency Committees. As commented during the meeting, Flexcom is so lucky to have multiple specialists especially in Dependency this year to help the broader committee understand the nuances of proposed legislation in both specialty areas.

Communications and member value
We reviewed how we communicate with members and how to make our messaging clearer, more consistent, and more aligned with the mission of FLEXCOM and the Family Law Section. Our goal is to ensure members can easily understand what we do, where value is being delivered, and how to get involved.

If you would like to submit an article to the Family Law News Journal or the Family Law News Monthly E-newsletter, please contact our section manager, Brooke.Moore@CALawyers.org

Building stronger educational programming
FLEXCOM remains committed to CLE that is timely, practice-forward, and rooted in what attorneys see on the ground. We discussed our inaugural Policy and Practice Summitt that will be in Sacramento on August 28 and 29, 2026. We also discussed ways to deepen topic relevance, increase engagement, and strengthen the connective tissue between our programming, committees, and member needs.

Sponsorship and sustainability
Finally, we had direct conversations about sponsorship strategy and long-term sustainability. Supporting statewide education, publications, and meaningful volunteer leadership requires a stable foundation, and we remain focused on partnerships that align with our mission and create genuine connection with our members.

With Gratitude to Our Guests and Sponsor
One of the highlights of the Pismo meeting was the opportunity to learn directly from respected leaders and supporters in our statewide community.

We were grateful to welcome Daniel Cheung, Chair of the New Lawyers Section, who shared perspective on engagement and connection for newer attorneys and reinforced the importance of creating clear pathways for leadership development within CLA.

We also appreciated the attendance of Gregory F. Gillett of the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, whose presence strengthened our ties with local bar leadership and helped the committee to form a plan for new policy initiatives that FLEXCOM could pursue.

We extend special thanks to our sponsor, Bridget Potterton, who provided an excellent overview of CDREs and what they are including how they function in practice and why they matter to family law attorneys. Her presentation added real, practical value to our meeting and sparked the kind of informed discussion we want to continue bringing into FLEXCOM spaces.

Why In-Person Still Matters

The Pismo meeting was a reminder that when FLEXCOM is together, the work moves differently. In-person meetings build trust faster, allow for deeper collaboration, and create the space for candid, productive discussions that make progress possible. We left with stronger alignment, clearer direction, and renewed energy.

Looking Ahead

Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, and helped move the work forward. We’re excited for what’s ahead, and we welcome members who want to get involved through programming, writing, mentorship, committee work, and service.