Product Description

This intensely challenging course gets you “on your feet” under the rigorous scrutiny of judges and leading practitioners. Join the scores of divorce lawyers who have polished their courtroom efficacy in this Workshop’s supportive environment, learning trial advocacy from motion practice—to expert witness examination—to final argument. You won’t find another training experience quite like this one. In each class session, you perform as trial counsel in phases of an ongoing trial. Day 1 begins with admitting exhibits and demonstrative evidence. By Day 4, you’re examining actual real estate and psychological experts.

Throughout the week, you observe expert domestic relations practitioners demonstrate effective trial techniques. Between “courtroom” performances, the faculty lectures on family law trial topics. On the final day of this intensive experience, you’re the leading counsel in a full-blown divorce trial. All the skills you learned during the week are on display before a Probate and Family Court judge, who concludes the session with a frank, no-holds-barred critique of your trial performance and newly-found advocacy skills.

Open to lawyers only, this program gives you a newfound confidence in yourself.

Registration Notes:

Space is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis. Cancellations may only be refunded, minus a $100 processing fee if we are able to fill your seat.

This limited-enrollment program is not included in the MCLE OnlinePass.

Materials:

The materials for this program include MCLE's Massachusetts Courtroom Advocacy, as well as a faculty-prepared program book of Workshop materials, and a handout of exercises and directions, distributed approximately one week prior to the workshop so you have time to prepare.

Agenda & Materials

• Monday June 5, 2023
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Phyllis E. Federico, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  Lisa J. Marino, Esq., Wilson, Marino & Bonnevie, PC , Newton
  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Kates & Barlow, PC , Boston
  Karen Watts Stuntz, Esq., McEvoy & Stuntz, PC , Concord
  Gary O. Todd, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP , Boston
  Amanda Vanderhorst, Esq., Kates & Barlow, PC , Boston
  
• 9:15am - 9:30am

  Welcome and Introduction

  Hon. Mary Rudolph Black, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Hon. David G. Sacks, ADR Provider / Retired Judge , Holyoke
  
• 9:30am - 10:00am

  Motions: Lecture and Demonstration

  Amanda Vanderhorst, Esq., Kates & Barlow, PC , Boston
  
• 10:00am - 10:15am

  Camera Setup Instructions
• 10:15am - 11:15am

  Uncontested Motions: Exercises
• 11:15am - 11:30am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Common Evidentiary Problems: Lecture

  Phyllis E. Federico, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:30pm - 2:45pm

  Contested Motions: Exercises
• 2:45pm - 3:15pm

  Opening Statements: Lecture and Demonstration

  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Kates & Barlow, PC , Boston
  
• 3:15pm - 3:30pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:30pm - 4:15pm

  Opening Statements: Exercises (Part 1)
• 4:15pm - 5:00pm

  Direct and Cross Examination: Lecture and Demonstration (Recorded)

  Lisa J. Marino, Esq., Wilson, Marino & Bonnevie, PC , Newton
  
• Tuesday, June 6, 2023
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  John J. Hoffman, Esq., Hoffman Law Group , Norwood
  Mikalen E. Howe, Esq., Bristol Probate and Family Court , Fall River
  Angela M. LeBlanc-Murdock, Esq., Murdock & Associates , Gloucester
  Andrea M. Wells, Esq., Turco Legal , Newburyport
  
• 9:15am - 10:15am

  Opening Statements: Exercises (Part 2)
• 10:15am - 1:00pm

  Direct and Cross Examination: Exercises
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Lecture and Demonstration

  John J. Hoffman, Esq., Hoffman Law Group , Norwood
  
• 3:00pm - 3:15pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:15pm - 5:00pm

  Direct and Cross-Examination: Exercises Continued
• Wednesday, June 7, 2023
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Alfred Farese, III, Esq., , Middleton
  Regina M. Hurley, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP , Boston
  Norman I. Jacobs, Esq., Esdaile, Barrett, Jacobs & Mone , Boston
  Martin F. Kane, II, Esq., McGrath & Kane , Boston
  Steven J. Ryan, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• 9:15am - 10:00am

  Financial Statements

  Steven J. Ryan, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• 10:00am - 11:30am

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts: Exercises (Qualifications)
• 11:30am - 11:45am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:45am - 12:15pm

  Closing Arguments: Lecture and Demonstration

  Norman I. Jacobs, Esq., Esdaile, Barrett, Jacobs & Mone , Boston
  
• 12:15pm - 1:15pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:15pm - 3:15pm

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Substance): Exercises
• 3:15pm - 3:30pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:30pm - 5:00pm

  Lawyer Relations
• Thursday, June 8, 2023
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Nicole C. Armstrong, Esq., Armstrong Law, PC , Lowell
  James L. Brick, Esq., Brick, Jones, McBrien & Hickey LLP , Newton
  Merril S. Chin, Esq., The Law Office of Merril S. Chin LLC , Danvers
  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  
• 9:15am - 10:45am

  Student/ Expert Conference

  Merril S. Chin, Esq., The Law Office of Merril S. Chin LLC , Danvers
  Eric T. Gable, Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Mary M. McDonough, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  
• 10:45am - 11:00am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:00am - 12:30pm

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Exercises

  (15 minutes total with critique)
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:30pm - 4:00pm

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Exercises (continued)
• Friday, June 9, 2022
• 9:15am - 9:45am

  Counsel and Witness Confer
• 9:45am - 12:45pm

  Trial
• Judges:

  Hon. Mary Rudolph Black, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Hon. Megan H. Christopher, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. David G. Sacks, ADR Provider / Retired Judge , Holyoke
  
• Probation Officers:

  Eric T. Gable, Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Mary M. McDonough, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  
• GAL:

  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  Merril S. Chin, Esq., The Law Office of Merril S. Chin LLC , Danvers
  
• 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Lunch (provided by MCLE)
• 1:45pm - 4:45pm

  Trial

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.

Cochairs

Faculty