Product Description

“An amazing array of judges and very experienced lawyers providing the benefits of their wisdom and knowledge.”

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 workshop 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.

Special Program Information

• This limited enrollment program is not included in the MCLE OnlinePass.
• Space is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis. Cancellations are subject to a $100 processing fee.

Materials

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

Agenda & Materials

• Day One: Monday, June 9, 2025
• 9:15am - 9:30am

  Welcome and Overview

  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
  
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers

  Phyllis E. Federico, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  Margery L. Kennard, Esq., Community Legal Aid , Worcester
  Lisa J. Marino, Esq., Wilson, Marino & Bonnevie, PC , Newton
  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  Lola Remy, Esq., Women's Bar Foundation , Boston
  Amanda Vanderhorst, Esq., Kates & Barlow, PC , Boston
  
• 10:00am - 11:15am

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

  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
• 3:15pm - 3:30pm

  Break
• 3:30pm - 4:15pm

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

  Direct and Cross Examination: Lecture and Demonstration

  Lisa J. Marino, Esq., Wilson, Marino & Bonnevie, PC , Newton
  
• Day Two: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
• 9:15am - 10:15am

  Opening Statements: Exercises (Part 2)
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Peter J. Jamieson, Esq., Hastings, Jamieson & Lipschutz Family Law Group LLP , North Andover
  Julie K. Murphy, Esq., Rico, Murphy, Diamond & Bean LLP , Natick
  Richard M. Novitch, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP , Boston
  Grace C. Roessler, Esq., Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP , Boston
  Andrea M. Wells, Esq., Turco Legal , Newburyport
  
• 10:15am - 1:00pm

  Direct and Cross Examination: Exercises

  (15-minute Break from 11:30am - 11:45am)
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm

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

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

  Julie K. Murphy, Esq., Rico, Murphy, Diamond & Bean LLP , Natick
  
• 3:00pm - 3:15pm

  Break
• 3:15pm - 5:00pm

  Direct and Cross-Examination: Exercises Continued
• Day Three: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
• 9:15am - 9:50am

  Financial Statement

  Steven J. Ryan, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• 9:50am - 11:30am

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts: Exercises (Qualifications)
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Regina M. Hurley, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP , Boston
  Martin F. Kane, II, Esq., McGrath & Kane , Boston
  Angela M. LeBlanc-Murdock, Esq., Murdock & Associates , Gloucester
  Steven J. Ryan, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  Gary O. Todd, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP , Boston
  
• 11:30am - 11:45am

  Break
• 11:45am - 12:15pm

  Closing Arguments: Lecture and Demonstration

  Regina M. Hurley, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP , Boston
  
• 12:15pm - 1:15pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:15pm - 3:45pm

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Substance): Exercises
• 3:45pm - 4:00pm

  Break
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm

  Lobby Conference
• Day Four: Thursday, June 12, 2025
• 9:15am - 10:45am

  Student/ Expert Conference
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Nicole C. Armstrong, Esq., Armstrong Law, PC , Lowell
  James L. Brick, Esq., Brick, Jones, McBrien & Hickey LLP , Needham
  Merril S. Chin, Esq., Chin Law Group , Danvers
  Christina Paradiso, Esq., Community Legal Aid , Worcester
  Karen Watts Stuntz, Esq., McEvoy & Stuntz, PC , Concord
  
• 10:45am - 11:00am

  Break
• 11:00am - 12:30pm

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Exercises
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm

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

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Exercises (continued)
• Day Five: Friday, June 13, 2025
• 9:15am - 9:45am

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

  Trial: Simpson v. Rosen
• Judges:

  Hon. Mary Rudolph Black, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Hon. Mikalen E. Howe, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Fall River
  Hon. David G. Sacks, ADR Provider / Retired Judge , Holyoke
  
• Experts: Probation Officers:

  Kelly Imbriano, Esq., Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Mary M. McDonough, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  
• Experts: GAL:

  Merril S. Chin, Esq., Chin Law Group , Danvers
  Nicole Robinson, Robinson and Associates Therapeutic Services , Stoneham
  
• 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Lunch
• 1:45pm - 4:45pm

  Trial: Simpson v. Rosen

Special Program Materials:

• Massachusetts Courtroom Advocacy

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.

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Faculty