Product Description

This comprehensive two-day course provides the family law practitioner with the fundamental skills and approaches necessary to effectively represent clients in divorce. Through a variety of lectures, demonstrations, and ‘hands-on’ workshops, you gain the tools to become a proficient divorce law practitioner. New this year: bring your lunch and talk informally with the faculty!

Our expert faculty provides you with the substantive knowledge to handle divorce work—an overview of the core concepts, statutes, cases, and procedural rules that govern divorce practice. Then you learn by ‘seeing and doing’ in special focus groups where the faculty helps you develop the key skills that a new practitioner needs to master: conducting a client interview, preparing the client’s financial statement, arguing a motion in court, and negotiating settlement. Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to get ‘hands-on’ training and jumpstart your career!

Agenda & Materials

• 9:30 am – 9:40 am

  Introduction

  Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  
• 9:40 am – 11:15 am

  Substantive Law and Procedure, Jurisdiction, Equitable Distribution, Professionalism (civility) and ethics

  Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq., Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster , Boston
  
• Initial Review/Assessing the Case

  Carlos Maycotte, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  
• Fee Agreements, Case Management/Fee Arrangements

  Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  
• ADR/Collaborative Law/Mediation

  Nan M. Sauer, Esq., Roberts & Sauer LLP , Boston
  
• Discussion

  Panel
  
• 11:15 am – 11:30 am

  Break
• 11:30 am – 12:00 pm

  Contempts & Modifications

  Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  
• 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

  Question and Answer Session

  Panel
  
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

  Child Support Guidelines and Support Orders

  Carlos Maycotte, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  
• Financial Statements: The Basics

  Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  
• Tax Issues: Deductible and Non-Deductible support orders,1041 Transfers, Dividing Assets

  Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  
• Pensions and Retirement

  Nan M. Sauer, Esq., Roberts & Sauer LLP , Boston
  
• Discussion

  Panel
  
• 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm

  Break
• 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm

  Do's and Don’ts on Financial Statements Panel

  Panel
  
• 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm

  Day One Wrap-Up/Questions and Answers
• Day 2
• 9:30 am – 9:35 am

  Introduction

  Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  
• 9:35 am – 10:10 am

  Discovery

  Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq., Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster , Boston
  
• Tips from the Bench

  Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  
• Motion Practice, Temporary Orders

  Nan M. Sauer, Esq., Roberts & Sauer LLP , Boston
  
• Tips From the Bench

  Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  
• 10:10 am – 10:50 am

  Ethical Issues for Family Law Practitioners

  Elissa M. Torto, Esq., Office of the Bar Counsel , Boston
  
• 10:50 am – 11:00 am

  Break
• 11:00 am – 11:30 am

  Working with the Probation Department of the Probate and Family Court

  Patrice O'Brien, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  
• 11:30 am – 12:00 pm

  Questions and Answers

  Panel
  
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

  Lunch
• 1:00 om – 1:30 pm

  Motion Session Demonstration

  Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq., Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster , Boston
  Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  Nan M. Sauer, Esq., Roberts & Sauer LLP , Boston
  
• 1:30 pm – 1:45 pm

  Tips from the Bench on Motions Practice

  Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  
• 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm

  Question and Answer Session

  Panel
  
• 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm

  Break
• 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm

  Negotiation and Settlement, Four-Way Negotiation Conference, Corridor Negotiation, Pretrial Conference, Settlement Agreement

  Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP , Boston
  Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq., Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster , Boston
  
• 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm

  Tips from the Bench

  Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  
• 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm

  Day Two Wrap-Up/Questions and Answers

  Panel
  

Special Program Materials:

• Massachusetts Family Law Sourcebook & Citator 2018
• Massachusetts Divorce Law Practice Manual

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochair

Faculty

Fees

• $247.50 - MCLE Sponsor Member
• $206.25 - New Lawyer
• $206.25 - Pending Admittee
• $206.25 - Law Student
• $206.25 - Paralegal
• $275.00 - All Others