Our National Family Law Conference CLE program is designed to help family law attorneys advance their legal practice. To learn about each speaker, view the Speaker Biographies page, or click their names below. To view the entire National Family Law Conference agenda, view the Schedule page.
*Please note all times are in Central Time. Subject to change.
Thursday, May 15
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Program: Unlocking Admission Success – AAML Test Insights and Application Guide*
Recommended for National Family Law Conference attendees interested in applying for Fellowship within the next three years. Please note, this program is not eligible for CLE credit.
Join us for an exclusive pre-conference session designed to guide you through the complexities of the AAML Fellowship application process.
Course Highlights:
- Demystify the Application Process: Understand key steps and timelines to streamline your application.
- National Exam Setup & Platform: Navigate the AAML testing environment with ease and confidence.
- Study Strategies: Gain valuable insights to test topics, how questions are formatted, and recommended study materials to prepare for success.
- Access to AAML’s “Bounds of Advocacy Goals for Family Lawyers”
Don’t miss this opportunity to get ahead in your Fellowship journey!
Note: This program is not eligibile for CLE credit.
4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Opening Remarks
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Shaping Futures in the Shadows: Insights into Developmental Parenting Plans
Deborah O. Day, Psy.D., Psychological Affiliates (Florida)
Elisha D. Roy, Esq., Partner, Sasser, Cestero & Roy, P.A. (Florida)
Explore strategies for creating age-appropriate parenting plans that support children's growth and well-being. In this session you’ll learn from two of the best at how to tailor plans that meet the developmental needs of children at different stages, ensuring stability and nurturing environments. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be ready to draft parenting plans that promote healthy parent-child relationships, adapt to changing family dynamics and better serve your clients.
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Bring Lawyers, Guns and Money: Negotiating Prenuptial Agreements
Rob McAngus, Partner, Verner Brumley Mueller Parker, PC (Texas)
Anita Ventrelli, Senior Partner, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP (Illinois)
Delve into the art of negotiating prenuptial agreements. In this session, you’ll gain insights into crafting comprehensive prenuptial agreements that protect clients’ interests. Because we live in an ever-increasing mobile society, our speakers will also discuss recent trends in cross border (states and countries) agreements. Attendees will learn effective negotiation techniques and strategies to address common challenges. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be equipped with best practices and helpful tips for drafting prenuptial agreements that ensure clarity and security for both parties.
6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Dinner & Drinks
6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Secrets of the Bar: Hot Tips
Laura C. Belleau, Partner, Belleau Family Law Group (Arizona)
Scott M. Mann, Managing Partner, Mann Tucker Muir Gordon LLC (Kansas)
Jason Naimi, Managing Partner, Naimi Family Law Group (Nevada)
Stacey N. Warren, Attorney, CashattWarren Family Law, P.C. (Iowa)
Back by popular demand! Join us for a dynamic discussion featuring hot tips from premier family law attorneys. You’ll gain valuable insights into best practices, innovative strategies and common pitfalls in family law cases. Our speakers will share their most useful practical tools and techniques to enhance your legal practice.
7:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Networking & Desserts Bar
Friday, May 16
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks
9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Code Confidential: Unveiling Legal AI in Your Practice
Justin McCallon, Founder and CEO, CallidusAI
Are you ready for it? Join us for a cutting-edge seminar on Artificial Intelligence where we will explore how AI is transforming family law legal practices and client services. You’ll learn how AI tools can streamline your case management, document analysis and improve decision-making. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be ready to integrate AI solutions into your practice, increasing efficiency and accuracy of your work-product.
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Tech & Tactics: Modernizing Your Firm Behind Doors
Renee Ross, Founder/Managing Attorney, Ross Family Law, P.C. (California)
J. Benjamin Stevens, Esq., Senior Partner, The Stevens Law Group, LLC (South Carolina)
Be on the cutting edge. Our savvy presenters will lead you through innovative tools that enhance firm efficiency and client services. You’ll learn how to implement technology into your practice for more secure communications, document automation and enhanced collaborative processes. The valuable tips from this session will guide you in leveraging technology for a more modern, innovative practice.
11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Mastering the Art of Evidence
Lauren Melhart, Partner, Kinser & Bates LLP (Texas)
Anita Ventrelli, Senior Partner, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP (Illinois)
Let the power of evidence speak for itself: This session is a must attend! Our speakers are some of the best trial lawyers out there. They’ll delve into the most effective strategies for gathering and presenting evidence in family law cases, including techniques for handling digital evidence, expert testimony and documents. You’ll leave this session empowered with the knowledge to strengthen your case presentations.
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
After lunch, attendees will participate in two roundtable discussions. These are great networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities!
Roundtable Discussion: The Move From 2nd Chair to 1st Chair
Cassandra Chin, Esq., Partner, Nichols Zauzig (Virginia)
Amanda S. Trigg, Partner, Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf, LLP (New Jersey)
Roundtable Discussion: Your Brand
Jim Mueller, Managing Partner, Mueller Family Law Group (Texas)
Jason Naimi, Managing Partner, Naimi Family Law Group (Nevada)
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Cross-Border Confessions: Navigating International Family Law
Jorge M. Cestero, Senior Partner, Sasser, Cestero & Roy, P.A. (Florida)
Richard Min, Partner, Green Kaminer Min & Rockmore, LLP (New York)
Think globally, act locally. Join us for an exploration of the global landscape and complexities of cross-border family law cases. Our experienced speakers will pull back the curtain on how to navigate international child custody disputes, effectively manage evidence across jurisdictions, and comply with global legal standards. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be better prepared to handle international family law cases.
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Rise to the Top: Secrets to Success in Leadership
Elisha D. Roy, Esq., Partner, Sasser, Cestero & Roy, P.A. (Florida)
Thomas J. Sasser, Managing Partner, Sasser, Cestero & Roy, P.A. (Florida)
Lisa Spencer, President, Henson Efron, PA (Minnesota)
Distinguished family lawyers will connect the dots between leadership and successful legal practice in this presentation. Join us and learn how leadership, in its many varied forms, translates to effective team management, client relations, and professional development in your legal practice. By the end of this session, you’ll be ready to take the leap, accept the next leadership opportunity and drive success in your legal practice.
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Dine Arounds*
Saturday, May 17
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Setting the Stage: Strategies for Managing Clients
Jim Mueller, Managing Partner, Mueller Family Law Group (Texas)
Lindsey Obenhaus, Partner, Goranson Bain Ausley PLLC (Texas)
There’s real skill in effective client relations. Our speakers will share the best tools they’ve mastered over the years in managing client expectations. Come along for the ride and explore strategies for setting realistic goals and building client trust. Be prepared to learn from some of the best and elevate your clients’ satisfaction.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Tax, Tactics & Tidbits: Navigating Family Law Tax Issues
Michelle F. Gallagher CPA/ABV/CFF, Strategic Partner, Adamy Valuation (Michigan)
Brian Vertz, Partner, Pollock Begg (Pennsylvania)
Can understanding taxes become less taxing? Yes, yes it can! Our esteemed speakers will walk us through the unraveling of the tax labyrinth. They’ll lead us in a discussion that delves into intricate tax considerations and navigate tax implications related to asset division, alimony and child support. This session will leave you primed for identifying tax challenges and optimizing financial outcomes for your clients.
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Working Lunch and Programming
Valuation Confidential: Unlocking Business Worth in Family Law
Natalie Lemos, Esq., Partner, Leinoff & Lemos, P.A. (Florida)
Anthony S. Phillips, CPA/ABV/CFF, Lead Managing Director, CBIZ FCG (Florida)
Here’s where you add value to your own know-how. This must-attend presentation will explore key considerations for accurately identifying and working with an expert in business valuation cases. You’ll learn methods for understanding financial statements, market conditions, ownership interests and how they each interplay with business value in marital dissolutions. And in the process, you’ll be poised to best advocate for your clients.