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 essential training; get your questions answered!Take control of your divorce practice!
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, deepened understanding of the law of divorce, and a fresh confidence to jumpstart your career as a divorce lawyer.
Course Content
Day One: March 6, 2025, 9:30am - 4:30pm - 9:30am - 9:40amSubstantive Law and Procedure, Jurisdiction, Equitable Distribution, Professionalism (Civility) and Ethics
Steven E. Maalouf, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston
Kelly A. Schwartz, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Initial Review/Assessing the Case
Kelly A. Schwartz, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Fee Agreements, Case Management/Fee Arrangements
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
ADR/Collaborative Law/Mediation
Jennifer R. Silva, Esq.,
Mavrides Law, Boston
Discussion
Panel
11:15am - 11:30am - Break
11:30am - 12:00pm - Contempts & Modifications
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
12:00pm - 12:30pm - Question and Answer Session
Panel
12:30pm - 1:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - 3:00pm - Child Support Guidelines and Support Orders
Kelly A. Schwartz, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Jennifer R. Silva, Esq.,
Mavrides Law, Boston
3:00pm - 3:15pm - Break
3:15pm - 3:45pm - Do's and Don'ts on Financial Statements
Panel
3:45pm - 4:30pm - Day One Wrap-up/Questions and Answers
Panel
Day Two: March 7, 2025, 9:30am - 4:30pm - 9:30am - 9:35am
Welcome and Introduction
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
9:35am - 10:10am - Discovery
Steven E. Maalouf, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston
Tips from the Bench
Hon. James V. Menno,
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (Ret.)
Motion Practice, Temporary Orders
Jennifer R. Silva, Esq.,
Mavrides Law, Boston
Tips from the Bench
Hon. James V. Menno,
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (Ret.)
10:10am - 10:50am - Working with the Probation Department of the Probate and Family Court
Patrice O'Brien,
Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
10:50am - 11:00am - Break
11:00am - 11:30am - Ethical Issues for Family Law Practitioners
Richard C. Abati, Esq.,
Office of Bar Counsel, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Boston
11:30am - 12:00pm - Questions and Answers
Panel
12:00pm - 1:00pm - Lunch
1:00pm - 1:30pm - Motion Session Demonstration
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Steven E. Maalouf, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston
Hon. James V. Menno,
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (Ret.)
Kelly A. Schwartz, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Jennifer R. Silva, Esq.,
Mavrides Law, Boston
1:30pm - 1:45pm - Tips from the Bench on Motion Practice
Hon. James V. Menno,
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (Ret.)
1:45pm - 2:30pm - Question and Answer Session
2:30pm - 2:45pm - Break
2:45pm - 3:45pm - Negotiation and Settlement, Four-Way Negotiation Conference, Corridor Negotiation, Pretrial Conference, Settlement Agreement
Steven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Steven E. Maalouf, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston
3:45pm - 4:00pm - Tips from the Bench
Hon. James V. Menno,
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (Ret.)
4:00pm - 4:30pm - Day Two Wrap-Up/Questions and Answers
Panel
Speakers
CochairsSteven E. Gurdin, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Kelly A. Schwartz, Esq.,
Fitch Law Partners LLP, Boston
Faculty
Richard C. Abati, Esq.,
Office of Bar Counsel, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Boston
Steven E. Maalouf, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston
Hon. James V. Menno,
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (Ret.)
Patrice O'Brien,
Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
Jennifer R. Silva, Esq.,
Mavrides Law, Boston
