Sometimes it’s promising not to do something anymore: eat, drink, work, procrastinate, or stress as much; other years we promise to do something: we’ll be more efficient, we’ll exercise more, we’ll spend more time with family, or we will be more involved in the ABA Family Law Section. Whatever your promises, may they all come true in 2025!
Last September, we had a wonderful Fall CLE Conference in beautiful, sunny Rancho Mirage, California. The CLE programs were interesting, and it was great networking with old and new friends. Friday night’s “Lawcella” party was a huge hit with a strolling magician, lawn games, memorable shot glasses, and a rocking photo booth set up to capture memories.
Our Spring CLE Conference April 6–9, 2025, will be held at The Greenbrier, a world-class luxury resort and National Historic Landmark in idyllic White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, that was named the “Best Historical Hotel” in the United States in 2024 by Newsweek. Nearly 30 U.S. presidents have stayed at the resort, which was originally founded in 1778 and began as a healing oasis. It offers a wide range of activities, including championship golf courses, a casino, a spa, outdoor adventures, historical tours, afternoon tea, and unique boutique shopping just to name a few.
Please note at The Greenbrier we will be implementing a new conference schedule that will begin on Sunday evening and conclude on Wednesday. Dine arounds on Monday allow you to make new friends and try great local restaurants. On Tuesday we will feature a throwback dance party at the historical Bunker located in The Greenbrier. We have put together a great schedule of programs for The Greenbrier, and there really is something for everyone.
On Monday, April 7, 2024, you will not want to miss our plenary program designed to refine courtroom techniques, and make compelling emotional arguments grounded in facts and legal principles. The short programs feature how to get difficult evidence admitted at trial with tips on overcoming evidentiary objections and drafting parenting plans for neurodiverse children.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, we will start the day with a plenary program on the developmental changes in children and how we as family lawyers can apply this knowledge to help better represent our clients and reduce conflict in our cases. The one-hour programs spotlight cross-examining a financial expert and finding the weaknesses in your opposing expert’s report. Other topics are substance abuse disorders in custody cases and discussing the tools and technology available to help attorneys and litigants dealing with these issues.
Our plenary program on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, focuses on personal goodwill in business valuations and the conflicts that arise when experts have differing viewpoints and methodologies. The Wednesday one-hour programs will explore the resist-refuse dynamics with children that occur in custody cases and responding to allegations of parental alienation. Tax and trust issues for family law attorneys will also be presented.
Of course, for these three days of the conference the Assisted Reproductive Technology Committee will present cutting-edge topics aimed at educating and enhancing participants’ knowledge.
In addition, on February 28, 2025, the Paralegal E-Learning Symposium will be held for its third year. This unique, virtual program held on Zoom provides 5.5 hours of family law education to paralegals and support staff in the comfort of their home or office. Some of the top attorneys and financial experts in the business will lead discussions on separate property, discovery, self-employment income, case management, and the role and ethics of artificial intelligence.
Make it your New Year’s resolution to join one of our “Lunch & Learn” programs, which are usually on a hot topic in family law. Check the “Section Events” page on the ABA FLS website or look in the monthly e-newsletter to find out what’s coming up and how to register (free, of course, for FLS members).
Finally, thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve the Family Law Section as Chair this year. See you at The Greenbrier in April!
