32nd Annual Advanced Family Law 2016 Seminar Materials - SALE!

Publication Date:	April 2016
Available Formats:	Print
Pages:	211

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Table of Contents
Authors
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Topics Covered:

Trial Practice–Focused Discussions and Demonstrations on Opening Statements, Direct, Cross, and Voir Dire of Expert Witnesses, and Closing Arguments in Family Law Cases
Annual Legislative Update
Bi-annual Case Law Update
Family Law–Related Legal Ethics Opinions and Ethical Issues Regarding Family Law Trial Practice
A Review of Virginia Law Regarding Expert Witness Testimony
Comments from the Bench Concerning Trial Practice Dos and Don’ts in Family Law Cases

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Virginia CLE^® is clearing its shelves to make room for newer publications. Offer good while supplies last. No other discounts apply. View all Clear The Docket Sale items.

This comprehensive, stand-alone publication is direct from an April 2016 seminar cosponsored with the Family Law Section of The Virginia Bar Association.

Government Attorney? Receive a 30% discount on publications, and a 50% discount on most seminars.
New Virginia Lawyer? (less than three years) Receive a 25% discount on publications and most seminars.

UPDATE ON VIRGINIA FAMILY LAW
Edward D. Barnes

I. Introduction
   A. Abbreviations
   B. Published and Unpublished Cases

II. Procedural Issues

III. Grounds for Divorce
   A. Corroboration

IV. Support and Maintenance
   A. Determination
   B. Modification
   C. Support Termination Events and Cohabitation Analogous to
   Marriage

V. Miscellaneous
   A. Validity of Marriage

VI. Premarital and Property Settlement Agreements
   A. Validity
   B. Interpretation

VII. Child Support
   A. Determination of Award/Arrearages
   B. Modification
   C. Imputation
   D. Validity
   E. Enforcement

VIII. Custody and Visitation
   A. Determination of Custody/Visitation
   B. Modification of Custody/Visitation
   C. Adoption, Step Parent, Grandparent, or Other Family Member
   Visitation/Custody

IX. Parental Rights
   A. Termination of Parental Rights/Foster Care/Findings of Abuse
   and Neglect

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: 2016 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION
Lawrence D. Diehl

I. In General
   A. Summary List of 2016 Legislation
   B. General Overview of 2016 Session

II. Marriage
   A. Persons Authorized to Perform Marriages
   B. Legal Age of Marriage

III. Equitable Distribution
   A. Transfer of Separate Property

IV. Divorce
   A. Affidavits in Support of Divorce

V. Child Support
   A. Social Services - Electronic Notices

VI. Spousal Support
   A. Amendment to Statutory Factors
   B. Pendente Lite Support Awards - Source of Payments
   C. Award Authority Where Grounds Not Established

VII. Custody/Visitation
   A. UCCJEA Jurisdiction

VIII. Miscellaneous
   A. Mediation Fees
   B. Recordation Taxes of Deeds Incident to a Divorce
   C. Protective Orders - Possession of Premises
   D. Unauthorized Practice of Law
   E. Religious Freedom-Marriage Solemnization

CRAFTING A GREAT OPENING ARGUMENT
Susan M. Butler

USE OF EXPERT WITNESSES IN FAMILY LAW CASES
Steven L. Raynor

I. Introduction

II. Overview of Applicable Law

III. Presenting Expert Witness Testimony
   A. Pretrial Preparation
   B. Testimony at Trial or Hearing

IV. Defending Against Expert Witness Testimony
   A. Pretrial Preparation
   B. Cross-Examination of Expert

V. Conclusion

VI. Article VII of the Virginia Rules of Evidence
   A. Rule 2:701 - Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
   B. Rule 2:702 - Testimony by Experts
   C. Rules 2:703 - Basis of Expert Testimony
   D. Rule 2:704 - Opinion on Ultimate Issue
   E. Rule 2:705 - Facts or Data Used in Testimony
   F. Rule 2:706 - Use of Learned Treatises with Experts

VII. Annotated Bibliography of Authorities
   A. Qualification of Experts
   B. Procedure for Qualification
   C. Statutory Requirements for Qualification
   D. Scope of Expert Testimony
   E. Adequate Basis Requirement for Expert Opinion
   F. Consideration of Inadmissible Material in Civil Proceedings
   G. Scientific Reliability and New Scientific Subjects
   H. Form of Expert Testimony
   I. Ultimate Fact in Issue Rule
   J. Use of Learned Treatises with Experts
   K. Number of Expert Witnesses
   L. Weight and Sufficiency of Expert Testimony

VIII. Reference
   Appendix A - Checklist of Expert Witnesses for Family Law Cases

DIRECT EXAMINATION OF EXPERT WITNESSES IN FAMILY LAW CASES:
CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATOR
Daniel L. Gray

I. Introduction

II. Appointing the Evaluator

III. Pretrial Preparation of the Expert

IV. Presenting the Expert at Trial

Order for Custody Evaluation

David Wyant CV

Forensic Custody Evaluation

CROSS EXAMINATION OF EXPERT WITNESSES
Mary G. Commander

I. Cross Examination of Experts Generally
   A. Do Your Homework Beforehand
   B. During Questioning

II. Cross Examination of Child Custody Evaluation Experts
   A. Usually Performed by Psychologists
   B. Get Acknowledgement of the Limitations of Certain Testing
   Methods in the Particular Case
   C. Be Certain That the Expert Has Complied with Professional
   Standards
   D. Attack the Bias of Sources of Information That Were Relied
   Upon
   E. Point Out the Unreliability of Projective Techniques
   F. Determine
   G. Inquire
   H. Remember This Expert
   Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Family Law Proceedings

MAKING AN EFFECTIVE CLOSING ARGUMENT IN A FAMILY LAW CASE
Susan Hicks

I. Be Organized

II. Know Your Audience

III. Give the Judge the Law That S/He Has to Apply

IV. Explain How the Judge Should Apply the Law to the Facts of
Your Case

V. Always Conclude Your Closing with Gusto

JUDGES PANEL
Hon. Deborah V. Bryan
Hon. Wesley G. Russell, Jr.
Hon. Richard S. Wallerstein, Jr.
Carl J. Witmeyer

ETHICS SESSION
Bernard DiMuro

I. Conflict Checks
   A. Case Law
   B. Rules

II. Prospective Client Conflict Analysis
   A. Rule 1.18 - Duties to Prospective Client
   B. Pre 1.18 LEOs
   C. ABA Ethics Opinion 10-457

III. Virginia Ethics Rule 5.8 - Procedure for Notification to Clients When a
Lawyer Leaves a Law Firm or When a Law Firm Dissolves

IV. Phone Calls from the Opposing Party - How to Deal With It
   A. Rule 4.2
   B. Case Law

V. Refusing an Opposing Parties’ Request to File a Late Answer
   A. Case Law

VI. Real Life Hypothetical
   A. Zealous Representation Hypothetical
   B. Diligence Hypotheical

VII. Frequently Heard Complaints
   A. The Fees are Too High
   B. My Attorney Did Not Prepare Me for Hearing
   C. My Attorney Did Not Communicate with Me
   D. My Attorney Did Not Do Discovery on My Spouse’s Assets
   E. There Were Three Lawyers on My Case

VIII. Use of Social Media
   A. Case Law
   B. Rules

IX. Fees
   A. Virginia LEO 1606

X. Other LEOs for Family Law Lawyers
   A. See Appendix 2

Appendix I

I. Ethical Rules Relevant to Conflict Checks
   A. Rule 1.6 - Confidentiality of Information
   B. Rule 1.10 - Imputation of Conflicts of Interest

II. Ethical Rules Relevant to Social Media
   A. Use of Social Media by Clients
   B. Ethical Concerns for Use of Social Media by Lawyers

Appendix II

I. LEO 1810 - Conflict of Interest - Attorney Serving as Guardian Ad
Litem When Opposing Counsel in the Divorce Matter Was a Former
Partner

II. LEO 1818 - Whether the Client’s File May Contain Only Electronic
Documents With No Paper Retention

III. LEO 1844 - Ethical Duty of a Guardian Ad Litem to Investigate and
Report Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect

IV. LEO 1950 - Outsourcing of Legal Services

V. LEO 1853 - Sexual Relationship with a Client

VI. LEO 1866 - “Of Counsel” Relationship

VII. LEO 1869 - Assisting Pro se Litigants - Courthouse Assistance Program

VIII. LEO 1870 - Ethical Restriction Against Communicating with
Represented Persons Where Guardian Ad Litem Appointed

IX. LEO 1871 - Inadvertent Receipt of Confidential Information During the
Discovery Phase of Litigation

X. LEO 1872 - Virtual Law Office and Use of Executive Office Suites

XI. LEO 1873 - Continued Use of Former Firm Name in URL After Firm
Name Has Changed

XII. LEO 1874 - Limited Scope Representation - Reviewing Leadings for
Pro Se Litigants - Substantial Assistance and “Ghostwriting.”

Authors

Edward D. Barnes

Lawrence D. Diehl

Susan M. Butler

Steven L. Raynor

Daniel L. Gray

Mary G. Commander

Susan Hicks

Hon. Deborah V. Bryan

Hon. Wesley G. Russell, Jr.

Hon. Richard S. Wallerstein, Jr.

Carl J. Witmeyer

Bernard DiMuro