Introductory CLE Program: 2026 Institute for Family Law Associates
Meet the 2026 Faculty & Mentors! >>
*Please note all times are in Central Time. Schedule is subject to change.
Thursday, September 24
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Dine Arounds
Friday, September 25
Noon – 5:00 p.m. | Registration
1:00 – 1:15 p.m. | Welcome & Introductions
1:15 – 1:45 p.m. | Boundaries and Balance in the Practice of Law
Renee Ross, Founder and Attorney, Ross Family Law (CA)
Participants will internalize a deeper understanding of the demands placed on young lawyers in practice, including the impact on their personal lives. Additionally, they will gain insights into strategies for managing their career trajectory, such as how to effectively communicate with superiors about career opportunities, setting professional boundaries, and navigating discussions around compensation.
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Client Management – What To Do, When To Do It and Why It Matters
Daniel L. Gray, Founding Partner, Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC (VA)
Participants will be able to effectively manage clients from the moment of intake onward, including setting realistic case goals, addressing client expectations regarding partner vs. associate involvement, and clearly communicating fees and billing structures.
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. | Organizing the Case – The Associate’s Perspective
Sandra A. Brooks, Principal, Offit Kurman (MD)
Participants will understand essential case management strategies, including file organization, deadline tracking, considerations for timing of events, and secure file closure.
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Breaking Down Tax Returns
Stacy Collins, Managing Director, Stout (PA)
Amanda Ricketti, Director, Stout (NJ)
4:30 – 5:15 p.m. | Easy Evidence
Todd A. Stahly, Stahly Miner LLC (CO)
Participants will know how to identify and utilize simple, yet effective pieces of evidence, such as inventories, proposed property divisions, timelines of key events, and summaries of requested relief, to present a compelling case. They will gain skills in selecting and organizing these tools to enhance case clarity and support their legal arguments efficiently.
5:15 – 5:30 p.m. | Mentor Group Debrief
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Mentor Dinners
Saturday, September 26
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Registration
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast
8:55 – 9:00 a.m. | Welcome & Introductions
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Introduction to Business Financials and Valuation
Stacy Collins, Managing Director, Stout (PA)
Amanda Ricketti, Director, Stout (NJ)
First, we will explore the essential financial documents associated with businesses owned by one or both spouses. You will learn precisely what information to request, how to request it, and how to analyze those documents to uncover ownership structures and assess corporate expenditures. Building directly on that financial groundwork, the session will introduce the core principles of business valuation. Participants will master key terms of art—such as “standard of value”—and explore the primary approaches and methods used to determine a business’s true economic value.
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. | Discovery
Michael I. Flores, Esq., Founder, Michael I. Flores, PC (MA)
Participants will have a deeper understanding of the types of discovery and their uses, the Uniform Depositions Act, and various methods for resisting discovery requests, including objections, motions to quash, and protective orders.
11:45 a.m. – Noon | Objections
Kathryn Homburger Mickelson, Equity Partner, Beermann, LLP (IL)
Participants will understand the most common objections in family law litigation, including those encountered during discovery and in the courtroom. They will learn when and how to lodge a proper legal objection, as well as how to present objections persuasively to strengthen their case.
Noon – 12:30 p.m. | Dealing with Experts as an Associate
Sandra A. Brooks, Principal, Offit Kurman (MD)
Participants will be better equipped to interact effectively with experts, utilize experts in case preparation (if permitted), prepare discovery responses related to expert opinions, and develop trial evidence related to expert testimony, enhancing their ability to incorporate expert input throughout the litigation process.
12:30 p.m. | Group Photo
12:40 – 1:00 p.m. | Mentor Group Debrief
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Flight Club Networking Reception
Sunday, September 27
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Registration
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast
8:55 – 9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | An Overview of UCCJEA and UIFSA
Lauren Melhart, Associate Judge 360th District Court (TX)
Participants will have a fundamental understanding of the two uniform acts applicable to custody cases – the UCCJEA (Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act) and UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act). They will learn when each act applies, how the interstate process works, and the key differences between the two, enabling them to navigate custody cases involving multiple jurisdictions more effectively.
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. | Introduction to Parenting Plan Concepts & Terminology
Kristi Reardon, Partner, Reardon House Colton PLC (AZ)
Participants will have a clear understanding of the terminology related to parenting plans, the essential components that make up a parenting plan, and the theoretical concepts that guide the development of different types of plans, enabling them to create well-informed, effective parenting arrangements.
11:00 – 11:45 a.m. | Dealing With Your Client’s Mental Health- What Do You Need To Know to Effectively Represent a Client in Custody Litigation?
Rob McAngus, Partner, Mueller Family Law Group (TX)
By the end of this session, participants will understand how mental health conditions and DSM diagnosis can impact custody litigation including an understanding of the relevance of DSM diagnoses in custody litigation by distinguishing between the existence of a mental health diagnosis and the diagnosis’s actual impact on parenting capacity, child safety, and the best-interest analysis.
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Depositions of Lay Witnesses and Prepping Your Client to Testify
Michael I. Flores, Esq., Founder, Michael I. Flores, PC (MA)
Participants will have a solid understanding of the importance of witness preparation for both depositions and courtroom testimony. They will also learn various techniques for preparing witnesses while considering privilege and disclosure rules, ensuring effective and ethical witness preparation throughout the legal process.
12:45 – 1:45 p.m. | Lunch
1:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Trial Skills – Theme, Theory and the Art of Persuasion
Janet A. Battey, Partner, Ferro, Battey & Eucalitto, LLC (CT)
Participants will be able to develop compelling themes and theories for their family law cases and know how to leverage these trial techniques to provide a cohesive presentation that maximizes persuasiveness in the courtroom.
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. | Dealing with Opposing Counsel
Adam John Wolff, Partner, Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP (NY)
Participants will be able to confidently manage situations involving opposing counsel who is unreasonable, disrespectful, and/or non-responsive. They will develop strategies for maintaining professionalism, setting boundaries, and effectively addressing challenges while safeguarding the interests of their clients. Participants will also enhance their skills in de-escalating tense situations and ensuring productive communication, even in difficult circumstances.
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. | Drafting Orders and Preserving the Record
Laura Davis Smith, Partner, Davis Smith & Jean, LLC (FL)
Participants will be able to draft clear, enforceable family law orders and will gain an understanding of how to preserve issues at the trial court level for potential appellate or higher court review. They will learn practical techniques for ensuring that their orders are legally sound and will develop strategies for effectively documenting key issues for future appeals.
4:15 – 5:00 p.m. | Agreements That Affect a Divorce
Kevin J. Rubin, Founding Partner, Rubin Family Law LLC (GA)
Participants will have a solid understanding of the various types of agreements that can impact a future divorce, including prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, mediated settlement agreements, trusts, and business agreements. They will gain insight into the legal implications of each agreement type and how they can influence the division of assets, support obligations, and other key aspects of a divorce.
5:00 – 5:15 p.m. | Mentor Group Debrief
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Dine Arounds
Monday, September 28
7:30 – 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast
8:25 – 8:30 a.m. | Welcome & Introductions
8:30 – 9:15 a.m. | Building a Good Reputation
Thomas Sasser, Managing Partner, Sasser, Cestero & Roy, P.A. (FL)
Participants will be able to identify and apply strategies to build a strong professional reputation, including effective use of social media, networking within and outside their local legal community, and maintaining appropriate conduct both in and out of the courtroom.
9:15 – 10:00 a.m. | Emerging Issues in Family Law
Renee Ross, Founder and Attorney, Ross Family Law (CA)
Participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the emerging issues in family law across the country, including the role of artificial intelligence in litigation and the impact of social media on family law cases. They will gain insight into how these evolving factors are shaping legal strategies, evidence presentation, and case management in family law matters.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Pepto Bismal Moments – What To Do When You Mess Up
Kristi Reardon, Partner, Reardon House Colton PLC (AZ)
Participants will be able to identify common mistakes made in family law litigation, understand how to respond effectively, and implement strategies to correct past errors. They will gain practical knowledge of how to avoid these pitfalls in future cases and improve their overall litigation approach to better serve their clients.