If you want to launch a successful divorce practice, here’s your chance. In this popular BasicsPlus!® program, the best divorce counsel in Massachusetts provide hands-on workshops, demonstrations, interactive dialogue and information-packed lectures - all designed to teach you the fundamental skills critical to representing your clients. This two-day immersion features hours of training; get your questions answered!
Begin with a fast-moving presentation of core concepts, statutory authority, significant cases, and a review of procedural rules you need to know to navigate divorce litigation. Then it’s time for live demos on conducting client interviews, preparing financial statements, arguing motions before a judge, and negotiating and settling the terms of separation agreements to obtain the very best outcome for your client. Your takeaways from this extraordinary two-day experience? New procedural and strategic knowledge, new understanding of the law of divorce, and a new confidence to jumpstart your career as a divorce lawyer.
Begin with a fast-moving presentation of core concepts, statutory authority, significant cases, and a review of procedural rules you need to know to navigate divorce litigation. Then it’s time for live demos on conducting client interviews, preparing financial statements, arguing motions before a judge, and negotiating and settling the terms of separation agreements to obtain the very best outcome for your client. Your takeaways from this extraordinary two-day experience? New procedural and strategic knowledge, new understanding of the law of divorce, and a new confidence to jumpstart your career as a divorce lawyer.
You will lear:
- How to establish and maintain a solid working relationship with your client
- What it takes to make your practice impeccably professional, civil, and ethical
- How to conduct an exhaustive intake and critically assess your client’s end game and chances for success
- How to negotiate the most advantageous custody and visitation arrangement for your client
- What tax consequences to anticipate in the division of assets, and how to know when to call in an expert
Special interactive sessions
- Fee Arrangements, Jurisdiction and Venue Issues, Effective Economical Case Management, Client Billing and How to Collect Your Fees
- The Financial Statement, The Mandatory Disclosure of Documents, Asset-Related Restraining Orders to Protect Your Client’s Financial Wellbeing
- Getting Your Client Relief with Temporary Orders, Gleaning Facts Through Well-Conducted Depositions, Interacting Successfully with Probation Officers of the Probate and Family Court
- Negotiating Optimal Settlements and Managing Clients and Opposing Counsel in Four-Way Conferences, Working Ethically and Productively with the Pro-Se Opponent
Course Content
Day One, March 8th, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm: 9:30 am - 9:46 am- Welcome and Introduction
- Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- Divorce in Massachusetts: Substantive Law and Procedure, Jurisdiction, Equitable Distribution, Professionalism (civility) and Ethics
- Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
- Initial Review and Assessing the Case in a Divorce Matter
- Carlos A. Maycotte, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- Fee Agreements and Case Management/Fee Arrangements in a Divorce Matter
- Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- ADR, Collaborative Law, and Mediation in a Divorce Matter
- Hon. Nan M. Sauer, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Break
- Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
1:35 pm - 2:32 pm: Child Support Guidelines and Support Orders
- Carlos A. Maycotte, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- Hon. Nan M. Sauer, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
4:05 pm - 4:11 pm: Financial Practice Points in a Divorce Matter
- Panel
- Welcome and Introduction
- Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- Discovery in a Divorce Matter
- Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
- Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.), Concord
- Working with the Probation Department of the Probate and Family Court
- Jessica Grassia, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
- Motion Practice, Temporary Orders in a Divorce Matter
- Hon. Nan M. Sauer, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Break
- Ethical Issues for Family Law Practitioners in a Divorce Matter
- Rodney S. Dowell, Esq., Office of Bar Counsel, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Boston
12:50 pm - 1:07 pm: Motion Session Demonstration in a Divorce Matter
- Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
- Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.), Concord
- Hon. Nan M. Sauer, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.), Concord
1:40 pm - 1:53 pm: Negotiation and Settlement, Four-Way Negotiation Conference, Corridor Negotiation, Pretrial Conference, and Settlement Agreement in a Divorce Matter
- Steven E. Gurdin, Esq., Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
- Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
- Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.), Concord
- Webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal.
- There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only.
- They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.
