CLE Program

Presenters Bette Epstein and Richard Collier have decades of experience both litigating and mediating trust and estate disputes. This program will address issues that arise for trust and estate counsel from the time the proposed client walks in the door through the completion of the administration of the estate. Among other things, Ms. Epstein and Mr. Collier will discuss managing conflicts of interest, fiduciary duties vs. attorney’s duties, the importance of asking the right questions, and maintaining records.

New Family Code section 6309 ends a longstanding controversy (yes, civil discovery is permitted in DVPA proceedings) but we now confront a host of new controversies generated by the statute. Some practitioners see section 6309 as a long overdue clarification and expansion of DVRO discovery rights; others see it as a welcome, or unwelcome, significant contraction.  Some see it as a risk of revictimization via discovery abuse while others see it protecting against that risk. Who's right? Probably everyone to some degree. This much for sure: the statute's unique provision, permitting discovery to be requested only at the evidentiary hearing and not before, is something totally new to practitioners. How will judges interpret the statute? How does it apply to "cross-over" situations where a DV petition is filed in an extant disso or parenting case? What are best practices?  What are the collateral effects under FC sections 3044 and 4320? Join our expert panel, including LA Superior Court judges Lawrence Riff and Susan Lopez-Giss (ret'd),  and practitioner Michael Hanasab, who will cover the basics of section 6300, practitioners'' and judicial officers' challenges and dilemmas, and possible best practices. This program will be focused towards family law practitioners.

Roundtable at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, and presentation commencing at 7:15 p.m. Join mediator and former LA Superior Court attorney Carmen Alberio, and current LA Superior Court Probate Attorney David Gibson as they discuss best practices in probate matters.

As our nation and state confront challenges in building new green economy infrastructure and housing, it is more important than ever to resolve environmental lawsuits. Hear from leading climate change, environmental and land use lawyers on their approach to litigation and negotiation.