Family Law News Monthly

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, the world around us is changing rapidly, the practice of family law being no exception. As practitioners and judicial officers we are now faced with an array of issues never experienced before, be it court closures, limited financial resources of litigants, and the balance of our own health and safety. All of these have the high potential to impair our ability to perform our essential services to the public. Read more

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 3/21/20)
[Opinions available at: http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions-slip.htm]
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Read more

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 2/24/2020)
[Opinions available at: http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions-slip.htm]
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS Read more

The Family Law Executive Committee (FLEXCOM) is seeking new members for our next term. FLEXCOM is an exciting way to give back to the family law community through legislative review and drafting, continuing legal education, and writing. Our committee is comprised of a diverse group of family law practitioners throughout the State of California with a wide variety of expertise and we need you! Read more

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 12/20/19)
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS Read more

It’s a jungle out there! No, I’m not referring to the political climate, but rather the trend towards a lack of civility, courtesy, and cooperation within our profession as family law litigants. In a decision from earlier this year, Lasalle v. Vogel (2019) 36 Cal. App.5th 127, 248 Cal.Rptr.3d. 263, it was pointed out that things in California had gotten so bad between attorneys, the State Bar decided to amend it’s oath to newly admitted attorneys, by including a civility requirement, as well as a vow to treat opposing counsel with “dignity, courtesy, and integrity.” That was back in 2014 and five years later the Court of Appeal is still urging a return to professionalism. Read more

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 10/25/19)
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS Read more

One Fell Swoop offered an excellent opportunity to address the mandatory MCLE requirements but with a family law focus. Topics included the ethics of money, self-represented litigants and unbundling, ethical duties of experts, ethics and technology, attorney competence and bias in family law. Read more

Initially, I thought my first message as Chair of the Family Law Section should point out all the wonderful benefits that come with being a member. You know —benefits like 6 hours of free MCLE credit, low cost, yet highly informative, webinars and self-study articles, and periodicals which keep you abreast of important happenings in the world of California family law. Read more

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 9/24/19)
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS Read more