April 08, 2021

    2020-2021 Family Law Brown Bag Schedule

    All Committee Brown Bags will take place from 1:00-2:00pm ET. There is no fee to participate in Section brown bags; however, you must register to receive the meeting information. The title and description for each brown bag will posted the month prior to the scheduled brown bag. If you register for the brown bag before the title and description are available, you will receive an email when the meeting information is updated. A recording of each brown bag will be available on our website; a link to the recording will be listed below.  

    Please note: The content of these programs does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for attending.

    September 2020

    • Adoption Committee (September 10, 2020)

      Post Adoption Contact Agreements- Drafting Tips and Trends

      There has been a growing trend among states to allow post adoption contact agreements, or what is currently understood to be “open adoptions.” This Brown Bag assists practitioners with drafting tips to ensure enforceable agreements that help secure the least adversarial termination of parental rights scenarios, while ensuring that the adoptive parents are not unnecessarily inhibited moving forward after adoption. 
    • Trial Practice & Techniques Brown Bag (September 14, 2020)

      The Most Important Quality Needed to Win Your Trial

      Based on chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, of the late judge Ralph Adam Fine’s “The How to Win Trial Manual” and chapter 3 of Pozner and Dodd, “Cross Examination : Science and Techniques,” we’ll discuss the art of persuasion, theory of the case, and integrity of practice.  Please bring your inquisitiveness, creativity, thoughts on the subject, and war stories.

      Watch Recording
    • Alimony Committee (September 24, 2020)

      The Alimony Case in a COVID-19 World

      This brown bag will be an open discussion of the real world impact of COVID-19 on alimony requests and modifications. We hope to discuss a wide range of potential implications, including:

      - How are PPP loans and other government assistance factored into income?

      - How is monthly need or ability to pay analyzed with a decrease is social or public activity or based on the deferral of required payments?

      - Other special issues practitioners are dealing with during this unprecedented time.
      Watch Recording


    October 2020

    • Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (October 1, 2020)

      How to Move your Mediation Practice Online

      Mediators can have a robust and successful mediation practice where their predominant meeting space is virtual.  Join Melissa Kucinski where she talks about the resources she uses to successfully mediate remotely.

      Watch Recording
    • Trial Practice & Techniques Brown Bag (October 5, 2020)

      Eli Uncyk discusses depositions in a family law trial. Topics include what you should cover, "standard stips," how to deal with witnesses, and much more. 

      Watch Recording

    November 2020

    • Trial Practice & Techniques Brown Bag (November 2, 2020)

      The first 40 seconds: Using the opening statement to communicate a memorable theme and establish credibility for your entire case.

      Watch Recording
    • Domestic Violence Committee (November 19, 2020)

      Addressing Access to Justice Issues for Domestic Violence Survivors During COVID-19 Pandemic

      We will discuss unique access to justice issues, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, that domestic violence survivors are now facing. Additionally, we will share creative tips and best practices to resolve some of the common issues.
      Watch Recording

    December 2020

    • Child Support Committee (December 3, 2020)

      Support in a Pandemic

      A discussion of unique pandemic-related support issues, including, but not limited to the bases for modification (e.g. due to a temporary reduction in income or the receipt of economic aid), earning capacity, child care and fluctuating extracurricular expenses.
      Watch Recording
    • Trial Practice & Techniques Brown Bag (Decemeber 7, 2020)

      Applying Military Strategy to Family Law Litigation
      Watch Recording

    • ART Committee (December 10, 2020)

      New York Gestational Surrogacy
      Join us for a review of the new Gestational Surrogacy laws in New York. 
      Watch Recording


    • Communications Committee (December 17, 2020)

      Best Practices Tailored for Remote Divorce Lawyering

      During this brown bag we will discuss 5 lessons learned in during the pandemic as a remote family law attorney.
      Watch Recording

    January 2021

    • Custody Committee (January 7, 2021)

      A How-To Guide on Working with GALs

      GALs can be incredibly effective resources in settling contested custody matters, but the success of a case also depends on the attorneys representing the parties in the matter.  Libba W. Fyke, LLM, Esq. will discuss best tips and practices in working efficiently and effectively with a GAL in contested matters such that time, money and sanity are preserved, but most importantly, so that the children’s best interests are upheld and protected.  (**Note: Ms. Fyke will also discuss the need for better training and education of GALs to ensure the effective representation of children.)
      Watch Recording

    • Trial Practice & Techniques Brown Bag (January 11, 2021)

      Litigating in a Virtual Courtroom
      Watch Recording

    • Diversity Committee (January 21, 2021)
      How to Create Diversity in Our Profession: It's Everyone's Responsibility

      The concept of “Diversity” is a hot button issue. But sometimes, there isn’t a clear path on how to get involved and or the “right way” to promote it. This presentation will highlight how each of us can play a part in encouraging diversity. We will touch on personal experiences of our fellow attorneys and provide a safe space for issue discussion and solution development that can be used in you everyday practice or on a larger scale at your firm. 
      Watch Recording

    February 2021

    • Trial Practice & Techniques Series (February 1, 2021)
      What is Fair in a Divorce
      Watch Recording
    • International Law Committee (February 4, 2021)

      Redmond, Hague, and the UCCJEA, Oh My!

      David Schaffer represented the father at both the trial and appellate levels in the oft-cited (including the late RBG in the recent Monasky v. Taglieri decision) 7th Circuit Redmond case. He will provide light hearted insight and anecdotes from Redomond as well as the practice of International family law, in general. He will then segue into the use of the UCCJEA in the same arena.
      Watch Recording
    • Law Practice Management & Technology Committee (February 18, 2020)

      Common Malpractice Pitfalls and What to do When You Realize a Mistake is Made

      Our speaker, Mark Bassingthwaighte, will speak about common malpractice issues that attorneys face and pitfalls to avoid.  
      Watch Recording

    March 2021

    • Trial Practice & Techniques Series (March 1, 2021)
      Watch Recording
    • Law Student Committee (March 4, 2021)
      How to Juggle it All: The Importance of a Work-Life Balance

      Join our Law Student Committee leaders and presenters as they discuss tips, strategies, and habits to develop a healthy work-life balance.
      Watch Recording
    • Marital Property Committee (March 18, 2021)
      Property Division – Tips For Success in Your Zoom Divorce

      Gain confidence and improve your Zoom trial skills. The Marital Property committee presents a brown bag which will provide a real-time demonstration of how to organize and present financial documents in a Zoom trial. During this brown bag, we will also share successful tips on how to present marital property evidence through an expert at trial. We will watch an expert present her testimony and her best tips for presenting valuation evidence through Zoom. We will hear a judge’s perspective on best practices for Zoom trial success.

      If you have yet to experience a Zoom proceeding or have anxiety about doing it again, this brown bag will help you to understand the technical process and give you some best practices from experienced practitioners.
      Watch Recording

    April 2021

    • Trial Practice & Techniques Series (April 5, 2021)

    • Taxation Committee (April 1, 2021)
      Determining Rules for Dependents and When to Claim Them.

      Our speakers will discuss benefits of dependents before and after the TCJA, including the various credits and benefits. They will discuss how to determine who may claim dependents if there is no custody agreement, when to put that in the custody agreement, and how to deal with parents who may have wrongly claimed the credit.
      Watch Recording

    May 2021

    • Trial Practice & Techniques Series (May 3, 2021)
      Register for Trial Practice & Techniques Brown Bag
    • Health & Wellness Committee (May 13, 2021)
      Tips and Tricks to Incorporate Mindfulness and Stress Relief Into Your Practice

      A discussion of methods to improve your overall daily health and maintain a better work/life balance. We address various techniques and practices that can be incorporated into your daily routine at home or in your practice.   If there are things that work for you, bring your ideas to share.
      Register for Health & Wellness Brown Bag
    • Military Committee (May 27, 2021)
      Register for Military Brown Bag

    June 2021

    July 2021

    August 2021

    A recording will be made of this call and posted on the appropriate ABA webpages. By participating, you consent to be included on the recording, and consent to the publishing of all or parts of the call. You waive any right to approve or be compensated for any use of the call and you understand and agree that any and all recordings are and shall remain the property of the ABA.