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.
You will learn…
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
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 learn…
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 pm9:30 am - 9:46 am
Welcome and Introduction
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
9:40 am - 10:18 am
Divorce in Massachusetts: Substantive Law and Procedure, Jurisdiction, Equitable Distribution, Professionalism (civility) and Ethics
Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
10:18 am - 10:43 am
Initial Review and Assessing the Case in a Divorce Matter
Carlos A. Maycotte, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
10:43 am - 10:58 am
Fee Agreements and Case Management/Fee Arrangements in a Divorce Matter
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
10:58 am - 11:23 am
ADR, Collaborative Law, and Mediation in a Divorce Matter
Hon. Nan M. Sauer,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
11:23 am - 11:43 am
Break
11:43 am - 12:35 pm
Contempts and Modifications with Discussion in a Divorce Matter
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
12:35 pm - 1:35 pm
Lunch
1:35 pm - 2:32 pm
Child Support Guidelines and Support Orders
Carlos A. Maycotte, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
2:32 pm - 2:54 pm
Financial Statements in a Divorce Matter: The Basics
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
2:54 pm - 3:25 pm
Tax Issues: Deductible and Non-Deductible support orders, 1041 Transfers, and Dividing Assets in a Divorce Matter
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
3:25 pm - 3:49 pm
Pensions and Retirement in a Divorce Matter
Hon. Nan M. Sauer,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
3:49 pm - 4:05 pm
Break
4:05 pm - 4:11 pm
Financial Practice Points in a Divorce Matter
Panel
Day Two, March 9th, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
9:30 am - 9:32 am
Welcome and Introduction
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
9:32 am - 9:58 am
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
9:58 am - 10:27 am
Working with the Probation Department of the Probate and Family Court
Jessica Grassia,
Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
10:27 am - 11:02 am
Motion Practice, Temporary Orders in a Divorce Matter
Hon. Nan M. Sauer,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
11:02 am - 11:12 am
Break
11:12 am - 11:50 am
Ethical Issues for Family Law Practitioners in a Divorce Matter
Rodney S. Dowell, Esq.,
Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Boston
11:50 am - 12:50 pm
Lunch
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, Boston
1:07 pm - 1:25 pm
Tips from the Bench on Motions Practice in a Divorce Matter
Hon. Gregory V. Roach,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.), Concord
1:25 pm - 1:40 pm
Break
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
1:53 pm - 2:04 pm
Divorce Law: Tips from the Bench
Hon. Gregory V. Roach,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.), Concord
Please Note
This webcast is 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.
Speakers
CochairsSteven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Nancy G. O'Donnell, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
Faculty
Rodney S. Dowell, Esq.,
Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Boston
Jessica Grassia,
Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
Carlos A. Maycotte, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners 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, Boston
