Family Law Section

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

There are currently no rules or cases which clarify the acceptable scope of review which may be permitted by an expert whose testimony is to be offered concerning the report or testimony of an expert appointed by the court pursuant to Evidence Code section 730. This webinar will provide guidance for practitioners as to ethical employment of expert witnesses under Evidence Code Section 733 after the court’s appointment of an Evidence Code 730 expert. Read more

In this compelling presentation, you will learn about the harmful physical and mental effects of alcohol and drug abuse and addiction.  How do we recognize use and abuse of alcohol and other substances?  Why are legal professionals prone to alcohol and drug abuse and addiction?  What are the impacts to family, friends, employers, clients and colleagues of alcohol and drug abusers?  When is it time to get professional help to intervene and preserve one’s health and career? Read more

Bias resides in 99% of how we unconsciously process information in any given moment. Most of the time, it serves us very well. Understanding when it doesn’t is key to improving our decisions, relationships and organizations. Read more

The legal professional will learn about early warning signs of the resist/refuse dynamic, definitions of the symptoms we see, differentiating justified estrangement from active alienating behaviors and the hybrid case, the roles of the attorney and judge in resolving the case, the role of contempt actions vs. preventative enforcement, the dangers of delay in the court system, components of model orders for mental health interventions, best practices for family therapy, and further resources for families and the professional. 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

The Family Law Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association (FLEXCOM) is pleased to announce it will be hosting the Fourth Annual San Luis Obispo County Minor’s Counsel Training Symposium, in Pismo Beach, California on February 8 and 9, 2020. The program will provide a total of 12 hours MCLE credit, including at least 6 hours of Legal Specialization in Family Law. The symposium will satisfy the annual 8-hour training requirement of Rule 5.242 of the California Rules of Court. Those attorneys needing to satisfy the 12-hour initial training requirement will be able to attend a morning session on February 9 to obtain the additional 4 hours. Read more

The Family Law Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association (FLEXCOM) is pleased to announce it will be hosting the Fourth Annual San Luis Obispo County Minor’s Counsel Training Symposium, in Pismo Beach, California on February 8 and 9, 2020. Read more