Western Mass Family Law Conference

The Massachusetts Bar Association’s Family Law Section is excited to present the Western Massachusetts Family Law Conference, a premier in-person event for family law attorneys and judges. We are looking forward to a full day of learning and networking at the Hotel Northampton. Conference sessions include:

• 8:00-9:00: Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00- 9:30: State of the Probate and Family Court: Chief Justice John D. Casey
• 9:30-10:40: The Pathways to De-Facto Parentage: Statutory and Equity
  The Massachusetts Parentage Act (An Act to Ensure Legal Parentage Equality) is now in effect and provides various pathways to parentage for families. This program provides an analysis of the new law and its impact on parentage determinations, and it will address the key provisions of the act as well as the legal rights established for parents through de facto parentage.
  Hon. Diana Velez Harris, First Justice, Hampshire Probate and Family Court
  Hon. Bernadette Stark, Worcester Probate and Family Court
  Corey Carvalho, Judicial Case Manager, Hampshire Probate and Family Court
  Sarah Chatterton, Assistant Judicial Case Manager, Hampshire Probate and Family Court
• 10:40-10:50: Break
• 10:50-11:30: The “Assent” and Voice of the Child
  This panel will embark on an examination of statutes that specifically allow for a child’s assent (adoption, guardianship, removal) as well as when the child’s preference is considered for custody and parenting time, plus how the court addresses the voice of the child in family law matters.
  Hon. Lawrence Army, Hampden Probate and Family Court 
  Hon. Kathleen Sandman, First Justice, Franklin Probate and Family Court
  Attorney Claudette-Jean Girard
  Attorney Katherine Amato
• 11:30-12:30: From Resist and Refuse to Reunification Therapy
  What happens when a child will not engage in parenting time? Can this be repaired? This panel will focus on remedies and language for proposed orders to assist you with your case presentation, and will provide an in-depth analysis of reunification therapy and the benefits of same.
  Hon. Dana Doyle, Berkshire Probate and Family Court
  Hon. David J. Dacyczyn, Hampshire Probate and Family Court
  Ashley Benson, Optimal Healing
  Attorney Jennifer Breen
• 12:30-1:40: LUNCH
• 1:40-2:20: Emerging Issues in Evidence and Preserving the Record for Appeal 
  Evidence updates relevant to family law and an informed discussion on the marital disqualification rule, as well as admission of contested documents, voluminous records and chalks. This panel will also teach you how to ensure that your hearing/trial record and the evidence allowed in (or kept out) at hearing is appeal ready, whether a two-attorney case or with a pro-se litigant. 
  Hon. Barbara Hyland, First Justice, Hampden Probate and Family Court
  Hon. Nicholas Parsenios, Hampden Probate and Family Court
  Attorney Ann Dargie
  Attorney Stephanie Fitzgerald
• 2:20-2:30: Break
• 2:30-3:40: Coercive Control and Family Law
  A detailed presentation on dynamics, tactics, and how to distinguish high-conflict divorce from litigation abuse with judicial insight on implications of DV/IPV in family law.
  Hon. Richard Simons, First Justice, Berkshire Probate and Family Court
  Lisa A. Fontes, PhD
  Attorney Kelly Koch
• 3:40-4:30: Lobby Conference
  An informed discussion and question and answer session with members of the judiciary on the family law issues affecting your practice. 
  Hon. Barbara Hyland
  Hon. Claudine T. Wyner
  Hon. Nicholas Parsenios
  Hon. Kathleen Sandman
  Hon. David Dacyczyn
  Hon. Diana Velez-Harris
  Hon. Richard Simons
  Hon. Dana Doyle
  Hon. Alexandra Flanders

Registration is required by Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m.